Jimmy Kimmel’s bandleader and childhood friend Cleto Escobedo III died Tuesday morning, Kimmel announced on social media.
Escobedo, who fronted the band Cleto and the Cletones on Kimmel’s show “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” was 59 years old.
No cause of death was provided.
“Early this morning we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel wrote in an Instagram post Tuesday. “To say we’re heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since we were nine years old.”
Kimmel continued, “The fact that we were able to work together every day is a dream that none of us could have ever imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
This is a developing story. Please check back for more updates.
