Late-night TV usually brings laughs — but on his recent show, Jimmy Kimmel fought back tears. He turned the spotlight away from jokes and ...
Late-night TV usually brings laughs — but on his recent show, Jimmy Kimmel fought back tears. He turned the spotlight away from jokes and onto his oldest friend, Cleto Escobedo III, the band-leader of the house band on his show, who passed away at age 59. The heartfelt tribute shows just how deep friendship can go, turning a Hollywood moment into something painfully real that many of us recognise — like when a Nigerian entertainer pauses amid the glitz to remember a friend who never made headlines.
On Tuesday night, Jimmy Kimmel began his show visibly shaken. The occasion was deeply personal: the sudden death of his longtime band-leader and childhood friend, Cleto Escobedo III. What followed was one of the most raw, emotional opening monologues the comedian has ever delivered.
A Friendship That Spanned a Lifetime
Kimmel shared that their story began in Las Vegas back in 1977, when his family moved there, and Cleto lived just across the street. They became inseparable, sharing countless sleepovers, pranks,s and summer-night adventures. “One summer I slept over at his house 33 nights in a row,” Kimmel recalled, voice breaking.
As decades passed, their bond evolved—from childhood playmates to creative collaborators. When Kimmel launched his late-night show in 2003, he asked Cleto to lead the house band (and even recruited Cleto’s father), saying it was “the best gig ever”.
The Tribute That Stopped the Show
Standing on stage, Kimmel told his audience:
“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… because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young to go
He described Cleto as “the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person.
Kimmel announced the show would take the next couple of nights off as he and the team mourned.
Because It Was More Than a Job
The show’s house band wasn’t just background music. For Kimmel, it was family business. Cleto and his father brought rhythm and authenticity to the set—but more importantly, they were constant anchors in his life. Kimmel made a point of thanking the doctors, nurses, and staff who cared for Cleto in his final days.
He also addressed the family: Cleto’s wife and kids, his parents (who’d already treated Kimmel like a son), and the entire crew. Kimmel said:
“Cherish your friends. We’re not here forever
Why This Resonates
For many viewers — Nigerian or international — the moment struck a chord. It wasn’t a celebrity being celebrated, but a genuine friendship, vulnerable and unguarded.
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It reminds us that behind the lights and laughter, public figures feel personal losses too.
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It speaks to the importance of long-term relationships — childhood bonds aren’t kept just in photos.
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It gives permission to mourn publicly. In a world of curated images, Kimmel let us see real grief.
A Real-World Parallel
In Nigeria, when artists or entertainers pause awards nights or cancel concerts for personal loss, it becomes a moment of collective empathy. Last year, when a prominent Nigerian musician stopped a show mid-track to honour a friend who died, the crowd understood because friendship and respect are woven into our cultural fabric. Kimmel’s tribute carries the same universal message: loyalty, love, and loss don’t play by show-business rules.
Conclusion
Jimmy Kimmel’s tear-filled tribute to Cleto Escobedo III was more than a farewell—it was a reminder. A reminder of how friendships withstand fame, time, and change. A reminder that even in crowded studios and live audiences, personal loss still echoes loud. And for all of us reading this: those friends you’ve had since you were little—they matter. You might not be on TV together or leading a band, but your presence in one another’s lives? Priceless. Cherish them.