Jimmy Kimmel is grieving a personal and professional loss.

The Jimmy Kimmel Live! host’s band leader Cleto Escobedo III , who held the role since the late-night talk show’s debut in 2003, died Nov. 11, Jimmy announced on social media. He was 59.

“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Jimmy wrote in a post on Instagram . “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”

While the comedian did not share a cause of death, he noted that his close bond with the late musician extended far beyond their work ties.

“Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old,” Jimmy, 57, continued. “The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would

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