Jimmy Kimmel Honors Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III
Escobedo, who was Kimmel’s friend from childhood, died unexpectedly at age 59.
By Andy Kahn Nov 12, 2025 • 7:38 am PST
Jimmy Kimmel delivered an emotional monologue honoring Jimmy Kimmel Live bandleader Cleto Escobedo III, who died unexpectedly at age 59. Kimmel’s lengthy tribute detailed the close relationship between the childhood friends.
“To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement,” Kimmel wrote before taping last night’s episode. “Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was 9 years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.”
Kimmel tapped Escobedo to be the Jimmy Kimmel Live bandleader when the show debuted on ABC in 2003. Escobedo’s father also plays in the band.
A portion of the transcript of Kimmel’s heartfelt recounting of his relationship with the Escobedo family follows:
“In September of 2002, I got a talk show just out of nowhere. I had a meeting with an executive at ABC named Lloyd Braun, and he hired me to host this show. And when you do a show like this, you need a few things: you need a desk, you need an announcer, you need a sidekick, and you need a band.
“And of course, I wanted Cleto to lead my band. We grew up watching Dave [Letterman] and Paul [Shaffer], and the idea that anyone other than him would lead the band was terrifying. It had to be him.
“I was so scared they would say ‘no’ and I would have to have another band. I had to work up the nerve to even bring it up because I knew my best friend from growing up plays the saxophone — he could lead the band. It wasn’t a great pitch, but it had to happen.”
Kimmel fought back tears while also sharing many joyful memories and laughs with the audience, that included Escobedo’s mother. Watch Kimmel’s full monologue devoted to his childhood friend and bandleader.
