Jimmy Kimmel opened Tuesday’s episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! with a deeply emotional monologue honoring his longtime friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who passed away earlier that day at age 59.
“We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to do some difficult monologues during that time,” Kimmel said through tears. “But this one is by far the hardest. Late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was far too young. I’d like to tell you a little about him, if that’s okay.”
As Kimmel reminisced about his lifelong friendship with Escobedo, photos from their childhood in Las Vegas appeared on screen. Escobedo’s parents — his father also plays in Kimmel’s band — were present in the audience, visibly moved by the heartfelt remembrance.
Kimmel described how their friendship began: “There was a boy who lived across the street, just two houses down. He was about a year older than me. His name was Cleto, but everyone called him Junior. Eventually, we met and became inseparable — the kind of friends who begged our moms to let us have sleepovers every night. One summer, I slept at the Escobedo house 33 nights in a row,” he recalled, smiling through tears. “My mom would make me kneel down and beg in front of him — and I would happily do it, because we were never bored. We were always up to something.”
Kimmel went on to share memories of their mischief-filled youth before explaining how Escobedo became part of Jimmy Kimmel Live! When Kimmel got the green light for his late-night show in 2003, he immediately thought of his childhood friend to lead the band — though he admitted that his initial pitch didn’t sound very convincing. “I said, ‘My best friend from growing up plays the saxophone — he could lead the band.’ It didn’t sound great,” he joked. But Escobedo and his father quickly proved they were the perfect fit during the audition.
“They played ‘Pick Up the Pieces’ by Average White Band,” Kimmel recalled. “Lloyd saw them — father and son together — and said, ‘I love it!’ Then he got up and left. And we’ve worked side by side ever since, for almost 23 years.”
“Everyone here at the show is heartbroken,” Kimmel continued. “It just doesn’t seem fair. Cleto was the kindest, most humble, funny, and genuine person.”
He ended the monologue by thanking the audience and explaining that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would take the next couple of nights off to grieve and honor Escobedo’s memory.
Kimmel had already canceled last Thursday’s taping to be with Escobedo when his condition worsened. After his friend’s passing, Kimmel shared the devastating news on Instagram: “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. Working together every day was a dream we could never have imagined coming true. Cherish your friends, and please keep Cleto’s wife, children, and parents in your prayers.”
This week’s episodes of Jimmy Kimmel Live! were originally planned as ’80s-themed, featuring guests like Eddie Murphy, Morgan Fairchild, and musical performers Men at Work.
Kimmel has taken time off in the past for personal reasons — most notably when his son Billy underwent surgeries for a congenital heart defect. (Billy has since made a full recovery.)
Known for his loyalty to friends and family, many of whom are part of his show’s staff, Kimmel’s decision to pause production this week was a natural one. Losing Escobedo — one of his closest friends since childhood — was not just a professional loss, but a deeply personal one.
