JIMMY KIMMEL REMEMBERS HIS BEST FRIEND AND BANDLEADER CLETO ESCOBEDO III — “HE MADE MY LIFE BETTER JUST BY BEING IN IT”
In a deeply emotional monologue that left viewers and studio staff in tears, Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to his lifelong friend and Jimmy Kimmel Live! bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who passed away at the age of 59.
For more than twenty years, Cleto wasn’t just the man behind the music on Kimmel’s late-night show — he was the heartbeat of it. But to Kimmel, he was far more than that: a childhood friend, a brother, and the kind of person whose warmth could fill any room.
“We met when I was nine years old,” Kimmel began, his voice trembling. “He lived three houses away from me in Las Vegas. We grew up together. We were just two kids riding bikes, pulling pranks, and dreaming about what life might hold. Never in a million years did I imagine we’d end up here, side by side on national television for over two decades.”
Kimmel described how Cleto’s life was steeped in music from the very beginning. Born into a family of musicians, he picked up the saxophone at a young age and quickly became known for his natural talent and joyful spirit. Before joining Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2003, Cleto toured with Paula Abdul and played with numerous artists across the country. “He could make that horn sing like no one else,” Kimmel said with a smile. “But what really made him special was his heart. He was humble, funny, and kind — the kind of person who made everyone feel like family.”
The two friends’ bond only deepened as the years went by. When Kimmel got his big break in television, he didn’t hesitate for a moment. “There was never a question of who my bandleader would be,” he said. “It had to be Cleto. Because who else could I trust to keep me grounded, to keep me laughing, and to remind me where I came from?”
As Kimmel shared stories of their decades-long friendship, he often paused, visibly holding back tears. “He was with me through every success and every mistake,” he said softly. “He’d tease me when I got too serious. He was the calm when everything else was chaos.”
During the broadcast, Kimmel reflected on how Cleto’s generosity extended beyond the stage. “He treated everyone the same — whether it was a celebrity guest or a stagehand. He made people feel seen and appreciated. You can’t fake that kind of goodness.”
In closing, Kimmel offered words that resonated far beyond the studio walls:
“If you have a friend like Cleto, hold onto them. Tell them you love them. Because friendships like that — they’re once in a lifetime. Cleto made my life better just by being in it. And I’ll miss him every day.”
Following the tribute, Jimmy Kimmel Live! paused production for several days, allowing the cast and crew time to mourn the loss of one of their own. Tributes poured in from fans, musicians, and colleagues across the entertainment world, all echoing the same sentiment — that Cleto Escobedo III wasn’t just an extraordinary musician, but an extraordinary human being.
His saxophone may have fallen silent, but his melody — of friendship, laughter, and love — will live on.