When Jimmy Kimmel stepped onto the familiar "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" stage Tuesday night, the usual late-night levity was replaced with raw, heartfelt emotion. Fighting back tears, Kimmel delivered what he called "the hardest monologue" of his career, honoring his childhood best friend and the show's beloved bandleader, Cleto Escobedo Iii, who passed away at 59.

This wasn't just a tribute to a colleague; it was a deeply personal farewell to a bond forged over five decades, proving some friendships truly are for life.

TL;DR: Here's the Scoop

  • Jimmy Kimmel delivered a tearful, 22-minute monologue on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" paying tribute to his childhood best friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who died at 59.
  • Kimmel and Escobedo became inseparable at age nine after Kimmel's family moved to Las Vegas, their friendship lasting over 50 years and spanning their professional lives.
  • Escobedo, a phenomenal saxophone player, led "Cleto and the Cletones" on Kimmel's show for almost 23 years, a band that famously included his father, Cleto Escobedo II.

A Friendship Forged in Childhood Mischief

Imagine being nine years old, moving to a new city, and finding your soulmate best friend living just a few houses down. That's how Jimmy Kimmel's extraordinary friendship with Cleto Escobedo III began in 1977, when Kimmel's family relocated from Brooklyn to Las Vegas. "We became like 24-7, ‘Mom, please let me sleep over please’ kind of friends," Kimmel recalled on his show. He even shared a truly impressive statistic: "One summer, I slept over at the Escobedo house 33 nights in a row. For real." (Source: MassLive, "Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel announces he is taking the rest of the week off," Liesel Nygard, Nov 12, 2025).

Their youth was filled with "high jinks," as Kimmel put it, from playing pranks on neighbors to knocking the wind out of each other. Cleto, affectionately known as "Junior," and Jimmy, shared a similar sense of humor, which Cleto himself noted in a 2022 oral history interview for Texas Tech University: "We kind of had the same sense of humor... We'd mess with people on the Strip, and if it'd rain, maybe we'd go splash people with puddles in my car when I was a teenager." (Source: NPR, "Cleto Escobedo III, leader of Jimmy Kimmel's house band, dies at 59," Neda Ulaby, Nov 12, 2025). This foundation of shared laughter and adventure would eventually become the bedrock of their professional collaboration.

From Prodigy to Pop Star Sideman to Late-Night Leader

Beyond the pranks and sleepovers, Cleto was a musical force from a young age. Kimmel often described him as a "phenomenal saxophone player" and a "child prodigy" who could get standing ovations in junior high. His passion was deeply rooted in his family, as his father, Cleto Escobedo II, was also a saxophonist who had put his musical career on hold to raise his family.

Cleto III's talent didn't go unnoticed. He enrolled at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, played in diverse bar bands covering everything "from country to Phil Collins," and in 1990, landed an audition that changed his trajectory: touring with pop superstar Paula Abdul. "His talent and energy were undeniable," Abdul posted on Instagram, recalling that she hired him despite his lack of touring experience. He later toured with other major artists like Luis Miguel, Marc Anthony, and Philip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire. He even scored a record deal with Virgin Records, releasing a "Latin-y, pop, R&B record" that he humorously referred to as "the Latin Explosion record a little too early."

The Unconventional Pitch for a Late-Night Band

When Jimmy Kimmel landed his late-night show with ABC in 2002/2003, one crucial element was missing: a house band. For Kimmel, there was only one choice for bandleader. "Of course, I wanted Cleto to lead my band," he said, citing his and Cleto's shared admiration for David Letterman and his bandleader Paul Shaffer. However, pitching his childhood best friend to network executives wasn't straightforward. "‘My best friend from growing up plays the saxophone. He could lead the band,’ wasn’t a great pitch," Kimmel admitted.

But Kimmel was determined. He orchestrated an audition for Cleto and his band with ABC executives. Not only did Kimmel want Cleto, he also wanted Cleto's father to be part of the group, bringing Cleto Escobedo II out of a nearly 30-year musical retirement. The father-son duo, along with their bandmates, nailed it, playing "Pick Up the Pieces" by Average White Band. Executive Lloyd Braun "loved it," and "Cleto and the Cletones" was born. They've been a staple on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" for "almost 23 years," working together every single day. (Source: Variety, "Jimmy Kimmel Breaks Down in Tears Honoring Late Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III," Michael Schneider, Jack Dunn, Nov 11, 2025).

Quote Box:

"I’ve often said that the single best thing about doing this show was getting the opportunity to allow Cleto Senior to pick up where he left off in 1966 and become a musician again with his son."

– Jimmy Kimmel, on the joy of having Cleto Escobedo II in the band.

A Professional Choice Rooted in Personal Chemistry

Bringing a lifelong friend into a high-profile professional role might seem risky. Some might argue that objective talent scouting should take precedence over personal connections to avoid potential biases or conflicts. However, for Kimmel, the deep personal connection with Cleto was precisely what made it work. "Of course I wanted great musicians, but I wanted somebody I had chemistry with," Kimmel told WABC in 2015. "And there’s nobody in my life I have better chemistry with than him." This unique, unspoken understanding—their "own language" where a look was enough—translated directly into the seamless flow of the show, a synergy that couldn't be manufactured.

On the other hand, the intense personal bond means the grief is also profoundly deeper, blending personal sorrow with professional disruption. Kimmel canceled his show last Thursday due to a "personal matter" as Cleto's condition worsened, and announced he'd be taking "the next couple of nights off" after Cleto's passing. This demonstrates the trade-off: while the friendship brought immense strength, it also meant Kimmel had to navigate public mourning while balancing the demands of his show.

For example, imagine a tech startup founder, Sarah, who brings her childhood friend, David, on as her CTO. David isn't just skilled; he understands Sarah's unconventional ideas instinctively, knows her work ethic, and can anticipate her needs without a word. While some investors might initially question hiring a "friend," David's unwavering loyalty and shared history allow them to innovate faster and weather early challenges more effectively than any outsider might. This mirrors the trust and efficiency Kimmel and Escobedo shared, proving that sometimes, the best professional choices are deeply personal ones.

The Unspoken Language of Friendship

"We had our own language that almost no one else understood," Kimmel shared through tears. "We didn’t have to say anything. We’d sit here at rehearsal every day, we’d have to look at each other — and that would be it." This profound connection allowed for a unique dynamic on screen, a blend of professional excellence and easygoing camaraderie that defined "Cleto and the Cletones" for nearly 23 years. Cleto, too, cherished his role, noting in 2022 that the bandleader job offered the stability touring couldn't, a "perfect job" conducive to family life, allowing him to be there for his wife, Lori, and their two children.

While Kimmel did not disclose the cause of death during his monologue, he thanked the doctors and nurses at UCLA Medical Center and Sherman Oaks Hospital for their care. Page Six later reported that Escobedo had "complications stemming from a liver transplant." (Source: Page Six, "Jimmy Kimmel's best friend and band leader Cleto Escobedo has died," Nov 12, 2025). This detail, while not from Kimmel directly, offers some context to the sudden and tragic loss. Cleto was remembered not just for his musical prowess but for being "the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person."

Cherish Your Connections: Practical Takeaways

  • Nurture Deep Friendships: Kimmel and Escobedo’s story is a powerful reminder that some of the most enduring and impactful relationships are built over decades, offering both personal joy and professional synergy.
  • Prioritize Personal Connection in Collaboration: While talent is key, shared history and chemistry can create an unparalleled working dynamic, fostering trust and seamless communication.
  • Find Meaningful Work-Life Balance: Cleto's appreciation for a job that allowed for family time highlights the importance of roles that support personal priorities, even in demanding industries.
  • Express Gratitude Openly: Kimmel's public tribute underscores the value of acknowledging and celebrating those who enrich our lives, especially when they are still with us, but also in remembrance.

FAQ: All You Need to Know About Cleto Escobedo III's Passing

When did Cleto Escobedo III pass away? Cleto Escobedo III passed away on Tuesday, November 11, 2025, at the age of 59. What was Cleto Escobedo III's role on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!"? He was the bandleader for the show's house band, "Cleto and the Cletones," since its launch in 2003. His father, Cleto Escobedo II, was also a member of the band. What was his relationship with Jimmy Kimmel? Cleto Escobedo III was Jimmy Kimmel's lifelong best friend, having met when Kimmel was nine years old after his family moved to Las Vegas. What was Cleto Escobedo III's musical background? He was a highly accomplished saxophone player who toured with artists like Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, and Philip Bailey, and even released a solo album.

Sources

  • MassLive: "Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel announces he is taking the rest of the week off" by Liesel Nygard, Nov 12, 2025.
  • NPR: "Cleto Escobedo III, leader of Jimmy Kimmel's house band, dies at 59" by Neda Ulaby, Nov 12, 2025.
  • Page Six: "Jimmy Kimmel's best friend and band leader Cleto Escobedo has died" Nov 12, 2025.
  • Variety: "Jimmy Kimmel Breaks Down in Tears Honoring Late Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III" by Michael Schneider, Jack Dunn, Nov 11, 2025.