A friendship that spanned a lifetime — and a farewell that brought an entire audience to tears. Tonight, Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to his lifelong friend Cleto Escobedo III, the beloved bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones and a fixture on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for all 23 years of the show. Cleto passed away earlier today at the age of 59, and Kimmel — visibly emotional — devoted his entire monologue to the man who had stood by his side since they were just four years old. What followed was a rare and beautiful moment on late-night television: a mixture of laughter, tears, and gratitude as Jimmy remembered not just a musician, but a brother. Between stories and smiles, Kimmel’s voice cracked more than once as he shared memories of growing up with Cleto — of the joy, the jokes, the loyalty, and the music that bound them together for nearly their entire lives. It was a tribute that felt less like a TV moment and more like a conversation between old friends — one filled with love, authenticity, and the kind of emotion that reminds us what truly matters
It was one of the most emotional moments in Jimmy Kimmel Live! history. On Monday night, Jimmy Kimmel set aside his usual comedy monologue to deliver a deeply heartfelt — and often tearful — tribute to Cleto Escobedo III, his childhood friend and the beloved band leader of Cleto and the Cletones.
Escobedo passed away earlier that morning at the age of 59. No cause of death has been shared.
A Friendship That Spanned a Lifetime
Kimmel and Escobedo weren’t just coworkers — they were practically family. The two first met at age four in Las Vegas and shared a friendship that lasted more than five decades. When Jimmy Kimmel Live! premiered in 2003, there was never any question who would lead the show’s band. For 23 years, Cleto stood by Jimmy’s side — saxophone in hand, smile on his face, and warmth that filled the stage every night.
During Monday’s broadcast, Kimmel fought back tears as he described what Cleto meant to him — not just as a musician, but as a brother in every sense of the word.
“He was the heart of our show,” Kimmel said through tears. “He was the best — funny, genuine, kind, and so full of love. I can’t imagine doing this without him.”
A Monologue Full of Love and Laughter
What began as a tribute quickly became a moment of shared grief and gratitude. Kimmel reminisced about their early days together, mixing humor with heartbreak as he recalled Cleto’s easygoing nature, his quick wit, and the way he made everyone — from celebrities to crew members — feel like part of the family.
“We grew up together. We got in trouble together. We dreamed together,” Kimmel said, his voice breaking. “And somehow, we ended up doing this together.”
The studio audience — many of whom had watched the two side by side for decades — was visibly emotional. For a few minutes, late-night television paused its usual pace to make space for something much more powerful: genuine love and loss.
The Music Lives On
Over the years, Cleto and the Cletones became an inseparable part of Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s identity — infusing every show with humor, groove, and heart. From late-night sketches to celebrity serenades, Cleto’s laughter was often heard even when he wasn’t on camera.
Musicians and fans alike took to social media after the episode, sharing clips and memories that celebrated Cleto’s musical brilliance and infectious joy. Tributes poured in from across the entertainment world — all echoing the same sentiment: he was one of a kind.
More Than Music — A Legacy of Friendship
For Jimmy Kimmel, the loss of Cleto Escobedo III isn’t just the end of an era for his show — it’s the loss of a lifelong friend who shaped every part of his journey.
Kimmel closed the tribute by looking up, smiling through tears, and saying simply:
“Thank you, Cleto. For everything.”
