Copyright Us Weekly
Jimmy Kimmel is paying tribute to his lifelong friend and Jimmy Kimmel Live! Bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, after the musician died at 59. “Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel, 57, captioned an Instagram post on Tuesday, November 11. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.” Kimmel noted that he and Escobedo III “have been inseparable” since he was 9 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,” Kimmel concluded. “Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.” Several of Kimmel’s famous friends were quick to flood the comments section with tributes of their own. “So sorry man,” actor Ike Barinholtz wrote. “Love you Cleto.” Comedian Jeff Ross added, “Love you Love to his incredible family.” News of Escobedo III’s death comes days after an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! set to air on Thursday, November 6, was abruptly canceled. David Duchovny, Joe Keery and Madison Beer were set as the show’s guests. Entertainment Weekly reported days later that the cancellation was due to a “personal matter,” but no further information was shared at the time. Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned on Monday, November 10, and details about the canceled episode were not revealed. Story developing …
