Jimmy kimmel Mourns Longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III, pauses ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’
LOS ANGELES, CA – Jimmy Kimmel broke down on air Monday night while paying tribute to his bandleader and friend of nearly 23 years, Cleto Escobedo III, who recently passed away.The host announced that “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” would be taking “the next couple of nights off” following Escobedo’s death, and had previously canceled Thursday’s episode to be with Escobedo as his condition worsened.
Escobedo’s passing has deeply affected the entire show staff, with Kimmel describing the loss as “just not fair.” He recalled a pivotal moment that sparked their decades-long collaboration: “They played ‘Pick Up the Pieces’ by the Average white Band,” Kimmel remembered. “Lloyd saw it. He saw the father and son. He said, ‘I love it!’ And he got up and left. And we’ve been working together every day for almost 23 years.” The unexpected loss underscores Kimmel’s well-known loyalty to his inner circle,many of whom are employed on the show,and highlights the profound impact personal relationships have on the late-night landscape.
Kimmel shared the news of Escobedo’s death on Instagram,writing,”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.”
The host emphasized Escobedo’s character,stating,”Everyone here at the show we are devastated by this. It’s just not fair. He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person.”
This week’s episodes of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” were planned as an 80s-themed celebration, featuring guests like Eddie Murphy, Morgan Fairchild, and musical act Men At Work on Tuesday. Kimmel’s decision to pause production follows a previous instance where he took time off to support his son Billy through multiple surgeries for a heart defect, a situation he has since said Billy has fully recovered from.