Late night television host Jimmy Kimmel delivered an emotional and tearful tribute during his Tuesday night broadcast, honouring his lifelong friend and bandleader Cleto Escobedo III, who passed away earlier that day at the age of 59.
A Friendship Spanning Nearly Five Decades
Kimmel struggled to maintain his composure as he addressed his audience, revealing that this particular monologue was the most difficult he has ever had to deliver in the show's 23-year history. The host shared that their friendship spanned an incredible 47 years, beginning in their youth and continuing through their professional collaboration on television.
"Cleto was the leader growing up. I was the sidekick, he was the star," Kimmel recalled, painting a picture of their childhood dynamic. "Cleto played saxophone, I played clarinet. That's kind of all you need to know about us."
From Childhood Friends to Television Colleagues
Kimmel described Escobedo as a "phenomenal" saxophone player from a very young age, coming from a musical family where his father, Cleto Escobedo Sr., had sacrificed his own music career to focus on his family. When ABC hired Kimmel to host "Jimmy Kimmel Live!", the host didn't hesitate to bring both his childhood friend and his friend's father into the show's musical family.
"I've often said that the single best thing about doing this show was getting the opportunity to allow Cleto Senior to pick up where he left off in 1966 and become a musician again with his son," Kimmel shared, highlighting the profound impact this reunion had on the Escobedo family.
A Bond Beyond Friendship
The television host revealed that Cleto's parents became like second parents to him, with Cleto occupying the role of an older brother in his life. "No baggage, all love," Kimmel emotionally described their relationship. "There's no one in my life I felt more comfortable with."
Through his tears, Kimmel offered a poignant message to his viewers: "Cherish your friends. We're not here forever." The host announced he would be taking the remainder of the week off to mourn his dear friend, marking a rare absence from his late night duties to honour a friendship that began nearly half a century ago.
