A longtime member of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” — and a good friend of the host himself — has died.
He was 59 years old.
Kimmel announced the death of Cleto Escobedo III, who served as the bandleader on the show, via Instagram on Tuesday. Escobedo and Kimmel reportedly grew up in Las Vegas, Nevada, together, and remained friends and colleagues for decades.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician, and man, my longtime leader Cleto Escobedo III,” the post begins. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.
“Cleto and I have 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. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
Vareity reports that Kimmel addressed Cleto’s death during the opening of the “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” episode that aired that same day.
“We’ve been on air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to do some hard monologues along the way,” Kimmel said, getting emotional. “But this one’s the hardest because late last ight, 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.”
According to Variety, Kimmel stated Escobedo was his first choice to lead his band after inking a deal for the show back in 2003.
“Everyone here at the show, we are devastated by this,” Kimmel continued. “It’s just not fair.
“He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person.”
Details surrounding the nature of Escobedo’s death remain unconfirmed as of the publishing of this report.
The Associated Press contributed to this report.
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