Late-night host Jimmy Kimmel fought back tears on Tuesday night as he opened his show with an emotional tribute to his longtime friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, who passed away earlier this week.

Escobedo had been part of Jimmy Kimmel Live! since its very first episode in 2003, leading the house band and sharing an unmistakable on-screen chemistry with Kimmel that became part of the show’s identity.

“Cleto wasn’t just our bandleader,” Kimmel said during his monologue. “He was my best friend, my brother, and one of the kindest, funniest, most genuine people I’ve ever known.”

The studio fell silent as Kimmel reminisced about their decades-long friendship — from their early days growing up together in Las Vegas, to the moment Kimmel convinced Escobedo to join him when Jimmy Kimmel Live! first launched on ABC.

“He made everyone around him better — not just with his music, but with his heart,” Kimmel said, visibly emotional.

🎶 A Legacy of Music and Laughter

Cleto Escobedo III, a celebrated saxophonist and arranger, came from a musical family and had worked with numerous artists before joining Kimmel’s late-night show. Known for his infectious laugh and effortless charm, Escobedo became a beloved figure to both the show’s staff and its audience.

Tributes have poured in across social media, with celebrities, musicians, and fans sharing memories of Escobedo’s warmth and talent.

“Cleto’s energy was pure joy,” one fan wrote. “You could feel his spirit in every note he played.”

💬 “He’ll Always Be Part of the Show”

In closing his monologue, Kimmel promised that Escobedo’s memory will remain part of Jimmy Kimmel Live! forever.

“Cleto, wherever you are, the music doesn’t stop,” he said softly. “Thank you for every note, every laugh, every moment. You’ll always be with us.”

As the lights dimmed, the camera panned to Escobedo’s empty bandstand — adorned with his saxophone and a single spotlight — a silent, powerful farewell to a man who made America smile every night.