Jimmy Kimmel Gets Emotional Remembering Cleto Escobedo II

Jimmy Kimmel was moved to tears as he paid tribute to his longtime friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo II, during an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 11. Escobedo, who led Cleto and the Cletones, the show’s house band since its inception in 2003, passed away earlier that day due to complications from a liver transplant.

“This is the hardest monologue I’ve ever had to do,” Kimmel said, his voice breaking with emotion. “We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to do some hard monologues along the way, but this one’s the hardest.”

The late-night host expressed deep sorrow, saying everyone on the show was “devastated” by Escobedo’s sudden passing. “It’s just not fair,” he added.

According to People, Kimmel and Escobedo shared a friendship that dated back to their childhood. They grew up together, and their bond only strengthened when they began working side by side on Jimmy Kimmel Live! more than two decades ago.

Earlier, Kimmel had shared a heartfelt post on Instagram mourning his friend’s death. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement,” he wrote. “Cleto was a great friend, father, son, musician, and man. We’ve 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.”

Escobedo’s warmth, humor, and musical talent had become an integral part of Jimmy Kimmel Live! over the years, making him a beloved figure both behind the scenes and among fans.