Jimmy Kimmel announced the death of his longtime band leader, Cleto Escobedo III, who passed away at 59 years old. Kimmel shared the news in an emotional tribute.
"Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my lifelong bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III," Kimmel, 57, wrote on Instagram on Tuesday, November 11. "To say we are heartbroken is an understatement."
Kimmel noted that he and Escobedo III had been "inseparable" since Kimmel was 9 years old.
"The fact that we were able to work together every day is a dream neither of us ever imagined would come true," Kimmel added. He asked fans to cherish their friends and keep Cleto’s wife, children, and parents in their prayers.
Several celebrity friends quickly filled the comments section with their condolences.
Actor Ike Barinholtz wrote, "So sorry, pal. Love you, Cleto."
Comedian Jeff Ross also shared his love and sent well wishes to Escobedo III’s "amazing family."
The news of Escobedo III’s passing follows an abrupt cancellation of a Jimmy Kimmel Live! episode. The show, scheduled for Thursday, November 6, was pulled from air.
Guests for that episode were set to include David Duchovny, Joe Keery, and Madison Beer.
Days later, Entertainment Weekly reported the cancellation was due to a "personal matter." No further details were shared at the time.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! returned on Monday, November 10, without revealing specifics about the canceled episode.
This November cancellation comes two months after the program was also taken off air for a period. That suspension followed controversial comments Kimmel made regarding the death of conservative political commentator Charlie Kirk.
A spokesperson for ABC told Us Weekly on September 17, "Jimmy Kimmel Live! will be suspended indefinitely."
Kirk was shot and killed at 31 on September 10 while giving a talk at Utah Valley University. Kimmel discussed Tyler Robinson, who was arrested for Kirk’s murder, in a subsequent episode.
Kimmel commented on what he perceived as efforts by "the MAGA gang" to distance themselves from Robinson. He also referenced then-President Donald Trump’s reaction to Kirk’s death, suggesting Trump was in the "fourth stage of grief: construction."
Days after that suspension, Kimmel returned to air.
"It has been overwhelming," he said during the September 22 show, thanking viewers for their support. "I have received messages from so many people in the last six days. In fact, from all over the world."
Kimmel clarified his earlier remarks. "I posted a message on Instagram the day [Charlie] died, sending my love to his family and asking for compassion, and I meant it and I still mean it."
He added, "Nor was it my intention to blame any specific group for the actions of a person with serious problems. In fact, it was just the opposite of what I wanted to say, but I understand that for some it may have seemed untimely, unclear, or both."