Jimmy Kimmel Breaks Down in Tears as He Honors Late Bandleader and Friend Cleto Escobedo III: “It’s Just Not Fair”
Late-night television turned heartbreakingly personal on Monday night as Jimmy Kimmel delivered one of the most emotional monologues of his career. The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host fought back tears — and at times completely broke down — while honoring his longtime friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who died earlier that day at the age of 59.
From the very start of the broadcast, the studio was quieter than usual. There was no band to play Kimmel onto the stage, no applause sign flashing. Instead, the camera panned to Kimmel, standing somberly before his audience, visibly shaken. “This is the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do on this show,” he began, his voice cracking. “Everyone here is devastated. It’s just not fair.”
Cleto Escobedo III wasn’t just the musical heart of Jimmy Kimmel Live! — he was one of Kimmel’s oldest and dearest friends. The two first met as kids growing up in Las Vegas, long before fame found either of them. They attended the same high school, played in local bands, and dreamed about making it big one day. When Kimmel was given his own late-night show on ABC in 2003, there was never any question about who would lead the band. “Cleto was the first person I called,” Kimmel said. “He was my right hand, my brother.”
Over the past two decades, Cleto and his band, Cleto and the Cletones, became fixtures of the show. Their upbeat energy and jazz-funk flair set the tone for every episode, while Cleto’s infectious laughter and easygoing warmth made him a favorite among guests and viewers alike. On Monday night, Kimmel remembered that spirit with a mix of humor and heartbreak. “He was the nicest, kindest, most humble guy you could ever meet,” Kimmel said through tears. “He made everyone feel like his best friend — and somehow, he meant it every time.”
Kimmel’s voice wavered as he recalled their decades of friendship, describing long nights performing together in Las Vegas clubs, the early days of Kimmel Live! when they could barely believe they had a network show, and the countless moments between that never made it on air. “We laughed every day,” Kimmel said. “There wasn’t a day I didn’t look forward to seeing him.”
The host also paid tribute to Escobedo’s family, who were often featured on the show. Cleto’s father, Cleto Escobedo Sr., occasionally joined the band, and Kimmel affectionately called them both his “TV family.”
As the monologue ended, Kimmel could no longer hold back his emotions. “I don’t know how to do this show without him,” he said, wiping away tears. “He was part of every bit of joy we had here.” The audience, many also in tears, gave a standing ovation.
ABC later announced that Jimmy Kimmel Live! would take a brief hiatus on November 12 and 13 in the wake of Escobedo’s passing. No cause of death has yet been made public.
For Kimmel, though, the loss feels far deeper than professional. “We grew up together, we grew old together,” he said. “And I don’t know what I’ll do without him.”
