Jimmy Kimmel’s band leader and childhood friend Cleto Escobedo III died Tuesday morning. Kimmel announced on social media.
Escobedo, who led the band Cleto and the Cletones at Kimmel’s show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” He was 59 years old.
No cause of death was provided.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my former band leader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel wrote in an Instagram post. on Tuesday. “To say we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old.”
Cleto Escobedo III attends the annual Keep Memory Alive “Power of Love” benefit gala for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Center for Brain Health honoring Jimmy Kimmel at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, on February 22, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Images
Kimmel continued, “The fact that we were able to work together every day is a dream that none of us could have imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and keep Cleto’s wife, kids and parents in your prayers.”
Kimmel reflected on his relationship with Escobedo in a segment 2016 celebrating Escobedo’s 50th birthday.
He explained that he met Escobedo in 1977 after moving to Las Vegas, when Escobedo became his neighbor. In the birthday tribute, Kimmel spoke about his early relationship with Escobedo and shared photos of the couple in their youth.
in a interview 2021 With Guillermo from “Jimmy Kimmel Live,” Escobedo talked about his promotion to work on Kimmel’s show.
“I think I was in Atlanta, and Jimmy called and said, ‘Hey, I think I’m going to have this show. Do you want to be the leader of my band?’ Of course I said ‘Yes.'” Escobedo said. “It was the best concert ever.”
ABC News has contacted a representative for Kimmel.
