{"id":279233,"date":"2025-11-12T05:50:16","date_gmt":"2025-11-12T05:50:16","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/279233\/"},"modified":"2025-11-12T05:50:16","modified_gmt":"2025-11-12T05:50:16","slug":"jimmy-kimmel-announces-death-of-jimmy-kimmel-live-bandleader-cleto-escabedo-iii","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/au\/279233\/","title":{"rendered":"Jimmy Kimmel announces death of Jimmy Kimmel Live! bandleader Cleto Escabedo III"},"content":{"rendered":"

Childhood friend and bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live!<\/a> Cleto Escabedo III has passed away, aged 59.<\/p>\n

Although the cause of death<\/a> has not been released, Escabedo III had been noticeably missing from recent episodes of the show, following reports that he had fallen ill.<\/p>\n

The tragic news comes days after Jimmy Kimmel<\/a> cancelled his November 6 show last-minute, to be by Escabedo III’s side in hospital.<\/p>\n

\"JimmyJimmy Kimmel and Cleto Escabedo III had been close friends since the latter moved in across the street from Kimmel in 1977. (Getty)<\/p>\n

Escabedo III was the frontman of Kimmel’s in-house band, Cleto and the Cletones,\ufeff since the long-running show<\/a> first aired in 2003.<\/p>\n

When Kimmel first landed the late show spot, \ufeffhe advocated relentlessly for Escabedo III to be the leader of the show’s accompanying musical ensemble.<\/a><\/p>\n

The late night host reportedly went as far as taking the request to the president of the ABC to see that the band perform. \ufeff<\/p>\n

Kimmel later said, “I wanted somebody I had chemistry<\/a> with. And there’s nobody in my life I have better chemistry with than him.”<\/p>\n

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READ MORE: Liam Gallagher’s candid admission about Oasis reunion tour<\/a><\/p>\n

\"CletoEscabedo III had been a show staple alongside his band since its first episode aired in 2003. (Getty)<\/p>\n

The pair had reportedly been “inseparable”<\/a> since they were both nine, having grown up across the street from each other in their Las Vegas neighbourhood.<\/p>\n

The heartbroken<\/a> \ufeffhost paid tribute to his late friend on Instagram.<\/p>\n

“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” the emotional post started<\/a>. \ufeff<\/p>\n

“To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.<\/p>\n

“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.<\/p>\n

“Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”<\/p>\n

For a daily dose of 9honey, subscribe to our newsletter here<\/a>.<\/p>\n

\"JimmyJimmy Kimmel Live! was suspended from TV earlier this year, and sparked protests across America. (Getty)<\/p>\n

Escabedo III is survived by his wife \ufeffand two children,<\/a> who Kimmel implored fans to “keep in their prayers.”<\/p>\n

This is the latest heartbreak in what has proved a difficult year<\/a> for Kimmel.<\/p>\n

Only two months ago, the ABC (American Broadcasting Company) suspended production of \ufeffJimmy Kimmel Live! following the titular host’s comments on Donald Trump,<\/a> and the death of conservative activist Charlie Kirk.<\/p>\n

\"\"\/<\/a><\/p>\n

TV hosts and talk show legends: Then and now<\/p>\n

This decision to suspend the popular show<\/a> received widespread backlash from \ufeffpolitical commentators, entertainment industry unions and public alike, sparking free speech protests country-wide.<\/p>\n

The controversial<\/a> move also spurred global boycotts of ABC’s corporate parent Disney, resulting in the reinstatement of the show on September 22.<\/p>\n

Kimmel returned to TV with the highest-ever ratings for his show\ufeff, attracting 6.3 million viewers.<\/p>\n

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