Jimmy Kimmel’s Heartfelt Farewell to Cleto Escobedo
It was a heartbreaking moment as Jimmy Kimmel delivered an emotional tribute to his late bandleader and childhood friend, Cleto Escobedo III, who passed away at the age of 59. The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host fought back tears while remembering the man he called “the nicest, most humble, kind, and always funny person.”
A Friendship That Spanned a Lifetime
“We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to do some hard monologues along the way — but this one’s the hardest,” said Jimmy Kimmel, visibly shaken during his Tuesday night broadcast.
Escobedo wasn’t just his colleague but also godfather to Kimmel’s son Kevin and his best friend since childhood.
“Late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young to go,” Kimmel said.
The late-night star shared that he would take time off to grieve privately.
“Everyone here at the show is devastated by this. It’s just not fair,” he added, his voice trembling.
How Jimmy Kimmel and Cleto Escobedo Became Inseparable
Kimmel recalled how their friendship began after his family moved from Brooklyn to Las Vegas.
“We bought a house in a subdivision called Spring Valley,” he said. “Cleto lived across the street and two houses over.”
The two quickly became inseparable.
“We became 24/7, ‘Mom, please let me sleep over’ kind of friends,” Kimmel said with a smile through tears. “One summer, I slept over at his house 33 nights in a row.”
They spent their youth playing wiffle ball, Nerf football, dressing up as cowboys, and even setting “fire to Hot Wheels.” Their shared curiosity and humor forged a friendship that would last a lifetime.
From Neighborhood Pals to Late-Night Legends
When Jimmy Kimmel Live! launched on ABC in 2003, Kimmel knew exactly who should lead his band.
“You need a desk, you need an announcer, you need a Guillermo — and you need a band,” he said. “I wanted Cleto to lead it. The idea that anyone else would was terrifying.”
Kimmel and Escobedo had spent their youth idolizing David Letterman and Paul Shaffer, dreaming of one day having their own show. “We grew up watching Dave and Paul — it had to be him,” Kimmel told viewers.
That dream became reality. Escobedo led the Jimmy Kimmel Live! band for more than two decades, becoming a beloved figure on late-night television.
A Tight-Knit Family and a Lifelong Bond
Escobedo’s parents, Cleto Sr. and Sylvia, were in the audience during Kimmel’s tribute. He described them as “second parents” who helped shape his childhood.
“This is a very tight family — the kind that calls each other four times a day when they’re apart,” Kimmel said.
The host fondly remembered the fun and chaos of growing up together — from prank calls and boxing matches to endless laughter. “We definitely gave each other many concussions!” Kimmel joked, lightening the somber mood.
He also credited Escobedo for some of his early teenage “education.” Laughing, he recalled:
“Cleto was very focused on sex from a young age. He knew everything — though half of it was wrong, dangerously wrong.”
Cleto Escobedo’s Musical Legacy
Before joining Kimmel on ABC, Escobedo had already made a name for himself performing with Paula Abdul, Philip Bailey, Luis Miguel, and Marc Anthony. His remarkable saxophone talent and magnetic stage presence made him one of the most respected musicians in the business.
Despite Kimmel’s fame, Escobedo remained grounded.
“He was proud of me. He loved seeing me become successful. He loved being a part of it,” Kimmel said. “There’s no one in my life I felt more comfortable with.”
Kimmel also expressed gratitude to the medical staff at UCLA Medical Center for caring for Escobedo in his final days.
Fans Moved by Jimmy Kimmel’s Emotional Tribute
Viewers across the world were deeply touched by Kimmel’s heartfelt monologue. On YouTube, one fan wrote, “No one has ever delivered a better tribute to a lifelong friend. RIP Cleto.”
Another user shared, “I’m 79 and was sobbing listening to Jimmy share his story. That was pure love and honesty.”
Fans praised Kimmel’s courage to show raw emotion on national television.
“He’s the only talk show host who wears his heart on his sleeve,” one commenter noted. “That wasn’t a friend — that was a brother.”
This public outpouring of support underscored why Jimmy Kimmel remains one of TV’s most trusted and authentic figures. His willingness to grieve openly reminded audiences that even celebrities experience profound loss.
Tributes from Friends and Music Icons
Cleto is survived by his wife Lori, 49, and their two children. In a statement to Daily Mail, Lori admitted, “Everything is not OK.”
Singer Paula Abdul, who toured with Escobedo in the 1990s, also shared a heartfelt message on Instagram.
“The moment I heard him play, I knew I had to hire him,” she wrote. “He was pure light and soul, both on and off stage.”
Abdul’s tribute echoed the same sentiment expressed by Kimmel and countless others who knew Escobedo: he was a musician with immense talent — and an even bigger heart.
Kimmel’s message
“Cherish your friends. We’re not here forever” — resonated deeply with fans. Beyond fame and television, it was a universal reminder to appreciate those closest to us.
Moments like this show why Jimmy Kimmel remains one of Hollywood’s most human and relatable figures. His on-air tribute wasn’t just television — it was an act of love.
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