Jimmy Kimmel’s bandleader, and childhood buddy, Cleto Escobedo III died on Tuesday morning, Kimmel introduced on social media.
Escobedo, who led the band Cleto and the Cletones on Kimmel’s show “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell!” was 59.
No reason for demise was offered.
“Early this morning, we misplaced an amazing buddy, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” wrote Kimmel in an Instagram post on Tuesday. “To say that we’re heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I’ve been inseparable since I used to be 9 years previous.”
Cleto Escobedo III attends the annual Preserve Reminiscence Alive “Energy of Love” gala profit for the Cleveland Clinic Lou Ruvo Heart for Mind Well being honoring Jimmy Kimmel at MGM Grand Backyard Enviornment, Feb. 22, 2025, in Las Vegas.
Ethan Miller/Getty Pictures
Kimmel continued, “The truth that we started working collectively every single day is a dream neither of us might ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your folks and please hold Cleto’s spouse, youngsters and fogeys in your prayers.”
Kimmel mirrored on his relationship with Escobedo in a 2016 segment celebrating Escobedo’s fiftieth birthday.
He defined he met Escobedo in 1977 after shifting to Las Vegas, when Escobedo turned his neighbor. Within the birthday tribute, Kimmel mentioned his early relationship with Escobedo, and shared pictures of the pair of their youth.
In a 2021 interview with “Jimmy Kimmel Dwell’s” Guillermo, Escobedo mentioned his rise to engaged on Kimmel’s present.
“I believe I used to be in Atlanta, and Jimmy referred to as and stated ‘Hey man, I believe I’m gonna have this present. Do you wanna be my bandleader?’ After all I used to be like ‘Sure.’’” Escobedo stated. “It’s been the very best gig ever.”
ABC Information has reached out to a consultant for Kimmel.
