Jimmy Kimmel’s Bandleader and Lifelong Friend Cleto Escobedo III Dies at 59

Late-night television host Jimmy Kimmel is mourning the loss of Cleto Escobedo III, his bandleader and childhood friend, who died at the age of 59. Kimmel confirmed the news on Instagram on Tuesday, writing, “That we are heartbroken is an understatement.”

Escobedo’s death marks the end of a partnership that stretched from the streets of Las Vegas, where the two first met as kids, to two decades on national television. The cause and date of his death have not yet been publicly disclosed.

A Friendship That Began in Las Vegas

Kimmel and Escobedo’s friendship started in their Las Vegas neighborhood, where they grew up across the street from one another. In a 2022 interview for Texas Tech University’s Southwest Collection oral history archive, Escobedo described their early bond: “We just met one day on the street, and there were a few kids on the street, and him and I just became really close friends… we kind of had the same sense of humor.”

As children, the two were inspired by late-night comedy legends, particularly David Letterman, whose shows they watched religiously. The shared dream of entertainment and laughter would eventually lead them to work side by side in Hollywood.

From Touring Musician to Late-Night Mainstay

Before joining Kimmel on television, Escobedo carved out an accomplished music career. A skilled saxophonist, he performed with industry icons including Earth, Wind & Fire’s Phillip Bailey, Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, Tom Scott, and Take Six.

When Kimmel launched Jimmy Kimmel Live! on ABC in 2003, he reached out to Escobedo to lead the house band. “Of course I wanted great musicians, but I wanted somebody I had chemistry with,” Kimmel told WABC in a 2015 interview. “And there’s nobody in my life I have better chemistry with than him.”

Under Escobedo’s leadership, the show’s band became a defining element of its nightly rhythm — providing not just music but also camaraderie and on-screen presence that reflected the genuine friendship between host and bandleader.

Father and Son on the Same Stage

A unique aspect of Escobedo’s musical legacy was his collaboration with his father, Cleto Escobedo II, who played tenor and alto saxophones in the same band. The father-son duo celebrated nearly two decades of performing together in 2022 — a rare achievement in television music history.

Recalling the show’s early days, Escobedo said Kimmel suggested including his father in the band lineup. “Jimmy asked me, ‘Who are we going to get in the band?’ I said, ‘My normal guys,’ and he knew them because he had been coming to see us before he was famous,” Escobedo shared in 2022. “Then he just said, ‘Hey, man, what about your dad? Wouldn’t that be kind of cool?’ I was like, ‘That would be way cool.’”

Balancing Music and Family Life

In interviews, Escobedo often expressed gratitude for the stability his television work provided compared to life on the road. “Touring and all that stuff is fun, but it’s more of a young man’s game,” he told Texas Tech University in 2022. “Touring is not really conducive for family life. Sometimes you leave your kids as babies, and when you come back, they’re talking — it’s like, ‘What happened?’”

He credited his role on Jimmy Kimmel Live! for allowing him to be closer to his family, including his wife, Lori, and their two children.

A Personal Loss for Late-Night Television

The news of Escobedo’s death came just days after Jimmy Kimmel Live! abruptly canceled its Thursday taping, which had been set to feature David Duchovny, Joe Keery, and Madison Beer. The sudden cancellation now appears to have been connected to the passing of Kimmel’s longtime bandleader and friend.

In his emotional tribute, Kimmel reflected on the rare opportunity of working daily with someone he had known for most of his life. “The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true,” Kimmel wrote. “Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children, and parents in your prayers.”

Remembering a Musician and Friend

Over the years, Kimmel often shared fond memories of his early adventures with Escobedo. During a 2016 on-air segment celebrating Escobedo’s 50th birthday, Kimmel recalled their playful mischief growing up — including BB gun pranks and a makeshift “sidecar bike” they used to ride around their neighborhood. “Cleto would drive me directly into garbage cans and bushes,” Kimmel joked on the show, a memory that drew laughter and affection from the audience.

While Escobedo’s musical skills earned him respect in the entertainment industry, those who knew him best often spoke of his warmth, humor, and unwavering loyalty. His sudden passing leaves a void not only in the world of late-night television but also among musicians and fans who admired his artistry and quiet grace.