First on LateNighter: Jimmy Kimmel, who is grieving the death of his childhood best friend and bandleader Cleto Escobedo, taped a special tribute to Escobedo late Tuesday that will air on his show tonight.
It wasn’t immediately clear whether tonight’s previously scheduled guests (Eddie Murphy and Morgan Fairchild) will still appear. LateNighter has learned that Men at Work‘s planned performance has been postponed to a later date.
Kimmel announced Escobedo’s passing at age 59 Tuesday afternoon. “Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man—my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” he wrote on social media. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
Escobedo had been quietly absent from the ABC show for several months after falling ill. LateNighter understands that Kimmel canceled last Thursday night’s scheduled taping after Escobedo’s condition worsened.
A Las Vegas native, Escobedo grew up across the street from Jimmy Kimmel, beginning a friendship that would span five decades. The two met at age 9, performed in school bands together, and shared dreams inspired by their mutual admiration for David Letterman. “He was a child prodigy,” Kimmel told WABC in 2015. “The whole school would gather to watch—he’d get standing ovations.”
When Jimmy Kimmel Live! launched in 2003, Kimmel made sure his old friend was by his side as bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones—a post Escobedo held for more than two decades. “Of course I wanted great musicians,” Kimmel said, “but I wanted somebody I had chemistry with. And there’s nobody in my life I have better chemistry with than him.”
So sorry for the loss of your longtime friend. I know what that feels like as I just lost a few months ago my friend since we were 12 & I’m 80 next month. 59 is way too young & my sincere condolences to his family ❤️
FRIENDSHIP LIKE THERE’S IS HARD TO FIND !
Tonight, I read this terrible news, and it just saddened me. My condolences to Cleto’s family, and to Jimmy Kimmel, who has lost his best friend of 50 years. Heaven is filled with joyfully beautiful music tonight. I want Jimmy to think of Cleto’s passing this way. The first person I want to think Cleto saw first was Jimmy’s Uncle Frank, who welcomed him with a huge hug. Followed by the roast master himself, Don Rickles.
This is a loss of staggering proportions for JIMMY KIMMEL LIVE, too. So, tonight, to every talented musician who played under Cleto’s precise direction for the last twenty-two years, your brother is home in Heaven, and although his spot on the stage will never be filled, nor can it, he had big shoes to fill, you can all take comfort knowing that you are all the better for having him in the band, leading you, and sharing so many memorable moments. It is those moments that I hope will replace your tears very soon.
May Cleto Escobedo always be remembered for his kindness, his talent, and his music. But most of all, for just being one of the guys. As a fan of the show since night one, you are all in my thoughts today. Play on and smile, laugh, and share, and cry, and above all, live your lives to the fullest, just as Cleto would have wanted you all to do. God bless you all, and may God make Cleto the director of his band.
Condolences to Kimmel. So sorry he lost his friend.
Hubby and I watch you every night. This brought tears and emotions to our hearts. We are so sorry for your loss! Hang in there!
I really appreciate a close friend. Hard to come by especially growing older. Sorry for this loss!
The tribute from tonight’s episode is definitely an emotional tear-jerker. Keep tissues on standby when you watch it throughout. And it looks like towards the end of the monologue Kimmel did confirm the show will take the rest of the week off to grieve this loss.
I share the same sentiments that this has been a REALLY rough year for Kimmel and I hope he and everyone within his personal/professional circle will take care of themselves after losing a very talented bandmate, a fellow colleague and an honorary brother~
I am sorry to hear that your best friend has passed.My thoughts and prayers are with you and his family
So sorry for your huge loss. I have a special friend like u had. We are friends for 54 years this far. And worry sometimes who will go first and how we would take it. Either one of us. My husband and I just love you and your show by the way.. we think the world of you you’re so honest and say it how it is. God bless you and you know your adopted brother knew how much you loved him. My friend and I always say we’re sisters from another mother.. take care and we are praying for you that you get through this. Life is for the living and he would want you to continue living. And you can be there for his children. And he knew he would be. 🙏