Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" and a childhood friend of the show's host, Jimmy Kimmel, has died at the age of 59. Kimmel announced Escobedo's passing on Tuesday via a social media post, describing the loss as heartbreaking. The cause of death was not immediately revealed. However, some sources report that Escobedo died from complications following a liver transplant.

Escobedo and Kimmel's friendship dates back to 1977, when Kimmel's family moved to Las Vegas and became neighbors with the Escobedo family. Kimmel, who was nine years old at the time, said that he and Escobedo had been inseparable since then. He fondly recalled spending 33 consecutive nights at the Escobedo's house one summer. Kimmel remembered Escobedo as the "nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person".

Before joining "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", Escobedo was an accomplished professional musician. He toured with Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire, and Paula Abdul. Additionally, he recorded with renowned artists such as Marc Anthony, Tom Scott, and Take Six.

When Kimmel launched his late-night talk show on ABC in 2003, he insisted that Escobedo lead the house band, Cleto and the Cletones. Kimmel emphasized the importance of having a bandleader with whom he had chemistry and noted that he had a better connection with Escobedo than anyone else in his life. Escobedo's father is also a member of the band and plays tenor and alto saxophones. In January 2022, the father-son duo celebrated almost two decades of performing together on television.

Kimmel dedicated his monologue on Tuesday night to Escobedo, remembering their childhood antics and Escobedo's musical accomplishments. He shared anecdotes, including stories of BB gun pranks and mooning people from Kimmel's mother's car. Kimmel also reminisced about a bicycle with a sidecar that Escobedo owned, which they called the "side hack," and how Escobedo would drive him directly into garbage cans and bushes. Kimmel said that asking Escobedo to be the band leader was important to him.

News of Escobedo's death follows the abrupt cancellation of "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" on Thursday, reportedly due to a "personal matter". According to reports, Escobedo was hospitalized last week, prompting Kimmel to cancel Thursday's episode to be by his side. Kimmel has announced that he will be taking a few nights off from the show.

Escobedo's wife, children, and parents are in the thoughts and prayers of Kimmel and the entire "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" family.