Several stars shared tributes to Jimmy Kimmel’s longtime friend and Jimmy Kimmel Live! bandleader Cleo Escobedo III following his death at age 59.
Kimmel took to Instagram on Tuesday, November 11, to reveal that Escobedo had died.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” he wrote. “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.”
That night, Kimmel dedicated an emotional monologue to the late musician on Jimmy Kimmel Live!
“It’s just not fair,” the talk show host shared. “He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person.”
Keep scrolling to see more celebrities who have reacted to Escobedo’s tragic death:
Jimmy Kimmel
During an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel dedicated a monologue to his close friend, noting that he’s “had to do some hard monologues” over the years, “but this one’s the hardest, because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young to go.”
“There was a boy who lived on my block,” Kimmel recalled of when he met Escobedo at age 9 after moving from Brooklyn to Las Vegas. “He was a little bit older than me. He was a year older than me. His name was Cleto.”
Kimmel said they became fast friends — and “not just regular friends.”
“We became 24/7 ‘Mom please let me sleep over please’ kind of friends,” he gushed. “One summer I slept over at the Escobedo house 33 nights in a row, for real. My mother used to make me get down on my knees and beg to sleep at his house in front of him, and I would gladly do it, ‘cause we were never bored.”
When Kimmel landed his own ABC talk show in 2002, Escobedo became the leader of Kimmel’s house band, Cleto and the Cleotones.
“I wanted Cleo to lead my band,” Kimmel shared. “The idea that anyone other than him would lead the band was terrifying. It had to be him. I was so scared they would say no and I would have to have another band. I had to work up the nerve to bring it up. Because I knew [saying], ‘My best friend from growing up plays the saxophone, he could lead the band,’ wasn’t a great pitch.”
Kimmel went on to honor Escobedo’s widow, Lori, and their two children before saying that his death was “just not fair.”
“He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person,” he noted, thanking the hospital staff who took care of Escobedo in the final months of his life. “Cherish your friends. We’re not here forever.”
Paula Abdul
“My heart is heavy today as we say goodbye to the incredible Cleto Escobedo II. 💔,” Paula Abdul wrote via Instagram on November 11, sharing a video of herself and Escobedo on tour. “I first met Cleto when he was playing sax in a small bar at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.”
The “Forever Your Girl” singer went on to say that she knew she “had to hire” Escobedo for her band “the moment” she heard him play, “even though he didn’t have any touring experience yet.”
“His talent and energy were undeniable, and he went on to have an amazing career, reuniting with his best friend Jimmy Kimmel as the bandleader on Jimmy Kimmel Live!” she shared. “Cleto was pure light and soul, both on and off stage. Sending so much love to his family and everyone who loved him ❣️🎷.”
Sheila E.
“With a heavy heart we have lost a dear friend Cleto Escobedo,” Sheila E. wrote via Instagram on November 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. He has been a true brother and an amazing musician and artist. I’m so heartbroken 💔there are no words. My prayers go out to his wife and kids, Jimmy Kimmel, family and friends. You will be missed. I love u 🙏🏽🌹🙏🏽rest well 🕊️🙏🏽.”
Adam Scott
“RIP the great Cleto Escobedo III,” Adam Scott wrote via Instagram on November 11. “Such a kind, talented guy who will be sorely missed. Lots of love to Cleto’s family and everyone at @jimmykimmellive 💔.”
Eric Stonestreet
“So sorry to hear this Jimmy,” Eric Stonestreet wrote underneath Kimmel’s Instagram tribute. “He was AWESOME. Love to his family.”
Johnny Knoxville
“❤️❤️❤️love to u, cleto and his whole family,” Johnny Knoxville wrote underneath Kimmel’s Instagram post.
John Stamos
The Full House actor reshared Sheila E.’s post to his Instagram Story, writing, “Heartbreaking.”
Wanda Skyes
“Heartbreaking,” Wanda Skyes commented below Kimmel’s tribute on Instagram. “So, very sorry. ❤️🙏🏾.”
Jeffrey Ross
“Love you Love to his incredible family,” Jeffrey Ross shared underneath Kimmel’s Instagram post.
Julia Louis-Dreyfus
“Oh no,” Julia Louis-Dreyfus commented on Kimmel’s Instagram post. “I’m so so sorry. ❤️.”
Ike Barinholtz
“So sorry man,” Ike Barinholtz wrote via Instagram underneath Kimmel’s Instagram tribute. “Love you Cleto❤️.”
Jaime Camil
“Jimmy, your monologue yesterday was beautiful and touching,” Jaime Camil wrote below Kimmel’s Instagram post. “Our heart goes out to you and your loved ones 🙏 ❤️.”
Olivia Munn
“💔💔💔💔,” Olivia Munn shared underneath Kimmel’s post.
Howie Mandel
“So sorry 💔,” Howie Mandel wrote on Kimmel’s Instagram post.
Jim Jeffries
“One of the greatest guys,” Jim Jeffries commented on Kimmel’s account. “So sorry for his friends and family.”
Kaitlin Olson
“I’m so sorry 💔,” Kaitlin Olson wrote underneath Kimmel’s post.
Scott Wolf
“💔❤️,” Scott Wolf commented.
