Celebrities Mourn the Loss of Jimmy Kimmel's Beloved Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III

Many prominent figures in entertainment honored Jimmy Kimmel’s dear companion and the bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Cleto Escobedo III, after his passing at 59 years old.

On Tuesday, November 11, Kimmel announced Escobedo's death via an Instagram post.

“In the early hours today, we said goodbye to a wonderful friend, father, son, musician, and person, my long-standing bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” his message read. “To express our profound grief would be inadequate. Cleto and I shared an unbreakable bond since I was nine. The opportunity to collaborate daily was a realization of a dream neither of us ever conceived. Value your friendships deeply and please remember Cleto’s wife, children, and parents in your thoughts.”

Later that evening, Kimmel presented a poignant monologue in memory of the deceased musician on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

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“This situation is simply unjust,” the late-night host stated. “He was the kindest, most modest, benevolent, and consistently humorous individual.”

Continue below to view additional celebrities who have expressed their condolences regarding Escobedo’s untimely passing:

Jimmy Kimmel

On an installment of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel devoted a speech to his dear companion, observing that he has “delivered several difficult monologues” throughout his career, “but this one is the most challenging, as late last night, or early today, we lost a truly remarkable individual who departed far too soon.”

“A boy resided on my street,” Kimmel recounted, reflecting on his first encounter with Escobedo at nine years old, after relocating from Brooklyn to Las Vegas. “He was slightly my senior. He was one year older than I. His name was Cleto.”

Kimmel explained they quickly developed a strong bond — one that transcended “mere acquaintance.”

“Our friendship evolved into the constant, ‘Mom, can I please stay the night?’ variety,” he fondly remembered. “During one summer, I genuinely spent 33 consecutive nights at the Escobedo residence. My mother would insist I kneel and plead to stay at his house, directly before him, which I willingly did, as we were perpetually entertained.”

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Upon Kimmel securing his own ABC talk program in 2002, Escobedo assumed leadership of Kimmel’s resident musical group, Cleto and the Cleotones.

“My desire was for Cleto to head my ensemble,” Kimmel disclosed. “The thought of anyone else leading the group was daunting. It was imperative that it be him. I greatly feared their refusal, which would necessitate finding an alternative band. I needed to muster the courage to propose it, as I recognized that suggesting, ‘My childhood best friend plays saxophone and could lead the band,’ wasn’t the most compelling argument.”

Kimmel proceeded to pay tribute to Escobedo’s wife, Lori, and their two offspring, before articulating that his demise was “simply unjust.”

“He was the most amiable, modest, compassionate, and consistently humorous individual,” he remarked, extending gratitude to the medical personnel who cared for Escobedo during his last months. “Treasure your friendships. Our time here is finite.”

Paula Abdul

“My spirit is weighed down today as we bid farewell to the phenomenal Cleto Escobedo II. ,” Paula Abdul posted on Instagram on November 11, accompanied by a video featuring herself and Escobedo during a tour. “I initially encountered Cleto performing saxophone in an intimate establishment at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.”

The "Forever Your Girl" vocalist continued, stating she felt compelled to recruit Escobedo for her ensemble “the instant” she heard him perform, “despite his lack of prior touring background.”

“His aptitude and vivacity were indisputable, and he proceeded to forge an extraordinary career, rejoining his closest friend Jimmy Kimmel as the bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!” she relayed. “Cleto embodied pure radiance and spirit, both in performance and in daily life. Extending heartfelt affection to his family and all who cherished him.”

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Sheila E.

“With profound sadness, we have lost a cherished friend, Cleto Escobedo,” Sheila E. posted on Instagram on November 11. “I met Cleto in 1994, and in 1995, I produced a track for his album. We frequently quipped about our potential familial connection and even attempted to confirm it. He was a genuine brother and an exceptional musician and artist. I am utterly devastated; words fail me. My deepest sympathies are with his wife and children, Jimmy Kimmel, his family, and his friends. You will be greatly missed. I hold great affection for you, rest peacefully.”

Adam Scott

“Rest in peace to the magnificent Cleto Escobedo III,” Adam Scott conveyed through Instagram on November 11. “Such a benevolent, gifted individual who will be profoundly missed. Much affection to Cleto’s family and the entire team at @jimmykimmellive.”