It was an evening filled with heartfelt emotions as Jimmy Kimmel paid tribute to his childhood friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who passed away at the age of 59 on Tuesday. The loss was a personal and poignant one for Kimmel, who reflected on their decades-long friendship.

“We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to deliver some difficult monologues along the way,” Kimmel, now 57, shared with a heavy heart. “But this one is the hardest.” Escobedo, who held the special role of godfather to Kimmel’s son Kevin, left an indelible mark on Kimmel’s life.

Kimmel went on to express the depth of his loss, saying, “Late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young to go—and I’d like to tell you about him, if you don’t mind.”

Cleto Escobedo, known for his kindness and humility, was beloved by all who worked with him on the ABC late-night show. Kimmel’s voice trembled as he recounted, “I mean, everyone loves Cleto. Everyone here at the show. We are devastated by this. It’s just not fair. He was the nicest, most humble, kind, and always funny person.”

The sentiment was shared by colleagues and friends alike, who remembered Escobedo not just for his musical talent but for the warmth and joy he brought to those around him. His legacy will undoubtedly endure in the memories of those who knew and loved him.

Kimmel opened up about how when he got hired at ABC to host the late night show in 2002, Cleto was one of the first names on his mind.

It was an emotional night for Jimmy Kimmel, as he paid memorial to his late bandleader Cleto Escobedo III following his passing. Pictured 2012 

Kimmel said that Tuesday’s monologue was the hardest he had to do in nearly 23 years 

‘One day in September 2002, I got a talk show – out of nowhere,’ Kimmel said. ‘And when you do a show like this, you need a few things.’

He continued: ‘You need a desk, you need an announcer, you need a Guillermo – and you need a band.’

Kimmel said he ‘wanted Cleto to lead’ the band, and ‘the idea that anyone other than him would lead the band was terrifying.’

Kimmel said he and Cleto had bonded watching David Letterman and his bandleader Paul Shaffer play off one another.

Said Kimmel: ‘We grew up watching Dave and Paul – it had to be him.’

Kimmel had Cleto’s father Cleto Sr. (who  plays tenor and alto saxophones in his band); and mother Sylvia on hand on the emotional evening, calling them akin to ‘second parents’ since his childhood. 

Kimmel said he first crossed paths with Cleto when his family moved from Brooklyn to Las Vegas, and his family ‘bought a house in a subdivision of Las Vegas called Spring Valley’

Kimmel recalled that Cleto ‘lived across the street and two houses over,’ adding, ‘eventually we met and became friends – and not just regular friends – we became 24/7, “Mom, please let me sleep over, please” kind of friends.’

The late night host delivered an emotional memorial for his lifelong friend 

The late night host focused on the good times he shared with his late friend in a poignant monologue 

Kimmel had Cleto’s father Cleto Sr. (who plays in his band); and mother Sylvia on hand on the emotional evening 

Kimmel recalled that one summer, he slept over at Cleto’s house ’33 nights in a row’ as they ‘were never bored’ and ‘were always up to something.’

Kimmel we called the fun times he had with Cleto as youths, consisting of ‘wiffle ball on the front lawn;’ ‘Nerf football in the street;’ dressing up as cowboys and setting ‘fire to Hot Wheels.’

Kimmel said other activities he enjoyed with his late friend included playing billiards; practical jokes and phony phone calls; and boxing one another.

‘We definitely gave each other many concussions!’ Kimmel said.

Kimmel said that Cleto smartened him up to the birds and the bees as best he could.

‘Cleto was very focused on sex from a young age,’ Kimmel said. ‘He knew everything about sex, and he taught me all of it. 

‘Now, half of everything he taught me was wrong. Sometimes dangerously wrong, very wrong.’

Kimmel shared a childhood shot of his friend honing his musical chops at a young age 

Prior to working with Kimmel on the ABC show, Cleto made a living working with professional musicians such as Paula Abdul, Philip Bailey, Luis Miguel and Marc Anthony 

Tuesday’s tragic announcement came days after Kimmel canceled his broadcast on Thursday and was seen outside of a hospital in Los Angeles with Escobedo’s family in a scene described to Daily Mail as ’emotional.’ 

Kimmel previously announced the tragic passing in an Instagram post on Tuesday. He told his 4 million followers that saying ‘that we are heartbroken is an understatement.’

Kimmel said, ‘Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III.’

Kimmel said he and Cleto had ‘been inseparable’ since the age of nine.

‘The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true,’ he said. ‘Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.’