Jimmy Kimmel Breaks Down in Tears While Paying Tribute to Late Band Leader Cleto Escobedo
Jimmy Kimmel is providing more insight into the passing of his dear friend.
Less than a week after Cleto Escobedo III died at age 59, the Jimmy Kimmel Live! host shared that his late band leader was undergoing treatment at a medical center leading up to his passing.
And while he didn’t specify what type of care his childhood friend was receiving, Jimmy revealed that he has taken steps to give back to Cleto’s hard-working medical team in Los Angeles.
“Cleto was always kind and eager to help others. As we mourn his loss, we have started two fundraisers to celebrate his life and give back,” the comedian wrote on Intagram Nov. 14. “The first is for UCLA Medical Center where he received such incredible care. Together we can help vulnerable patients and families in need of financial assistance during hard times.”
Closing out his message, he added that he will also donate to The Animal Foundation in his and Cleto’s hometown of Las Vegas in order to “honor his love of animals.”
This isn’t the first time Jimmy has spoken out about the passing of Cleto, whose cause of death has not yet been disclosed.
Following his passing on Nov. 11, the TV personality shared a heartbreaking tribute to the instrumentalist—who served as the Jimmy Kimmel Live! band leader since the show’s debut in 2003—describing him as a “great friend, father, son, [and] musician.”
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“Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old,” Jimmy wrote on Instagram at the time. “The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.”
The 57-year-old added, “Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
And Jimmy gave a deeper look into their decades-long friendship in an emotional monologue during his show’s Nov. 11 episode.
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“We had so many adventures. We would laugh so hard,” Jimmy said through tears at the time. “We had our own language that almost no one else understood. We didn’t even have to say anything. We would sit here in rehearsal every day. We didn’t have to look at each other.”
To see how more stars honored Cleto’s life and legacy, keep reading.
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Jimmy Kimmel
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Jimmy Kimmel shared to Instagram Nov. 11. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”
The talk show host added that he and Cleto “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,” Jimmy continued. “Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
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Shelia E.
“With a heavy heart we have lost a dear friend Cleto Escobedo,” the “Glamorous Life” artist posted to Instagram Nov. 11. “I met Cleto in 1994 and in 1995 I produced a song on his album. We always joked about being related and we did try to find out.”
She wrote that he had “been a true brother and an amazing musician and artist.”
“I’m so heartbroken there are no words,” she added. “My prayers go out to his wife and kids, Jimmy Kimmel, family and friends. You will be missed. I love u rest well.”
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Paula Abdul
The “Straight Up” singer shared a sweet tribute Instagram Nov. 11 saying, “My heart is heavy today as we say goodbye to the incredible Cleto Escobedo III.”
Noting she first met Cleto when he was playing the saxophone at a small bar at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace, Paula recalled, “I was putting together my band for my first world tour and the moment I heard him, I knew I had to hire him, even though he didn’t have any touring experience yet.”
She gushed that Cleto’s “talent and energy were undeniable” and that she was thrilled to see him “have an amazing career, reuniting with his best friend Jimmy Kimmel as the bandleader on Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
“Cleto was pure light and soul, both on and off stage,” she wrote. “Sending so much love to his family and everyone who loved him.”
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Adam Scott
“RIP the great Cleto Escobedo III,” the Severance actor posted to Instagram Nov. 11. “Such a kind, talented guy who will be sorely missed. Lots of love to Cleto’s family and everyone at @jimmykimmellive.”
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Eric Stonestreet
“So sorry to hear this Jimmy,” the Modern Family alum commented on Jimmy’s post. “He was AWESOME. Love to his family.”
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Johnny Knoxville
The Reboot alum shared three red hearts on Jimmy’s tribute, writing, “Love to u, cleto and his whole family.”
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Wanda Skyes
“Heartbreaking,” the comedian posted. “So, very sorry.”
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Jeffrey Ross
The comedian commented, “Love you Love to his incredible family.”
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The Seinfeld star shared her condolences on Jimmy’s remembrance, writing, “Oh no. I’m so so sorry.”
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Ike Barinholtz
“So sorry man,” the Studio star added on Jimmy’s post. “Love you Cleto.”
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