Jimmy Kimmel announced the death of Cleto Escobedo III, his longtime friend and bandleader, on Tuesday. Escobedo, who led the house band on "Jimmy Kimmel Live!" since its debut in 2003, was 59 years old. Kimmel shared the news on social media, expressing deep sorrow. "To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement," he wrote. He described Escobedo as a "great friend, father, son, musician and man." Kimmel urged his followers to keep Escobedo's family in their thoughts and prayers. The announcement follows the abrupt cancellation of a recent episode of the show, which was set to feature guests David Duchovny, Joe Keery, and Madison Beer. The cause of Escobedo's death has not been disclosed. Escobedo and Kimmel's friendship began in childhood when they lived across the street from each other in Las Vegas. Kimmel reflected on their bond, stating, "Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was 9 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." In a 2022 interview, Escobedo reminisced about their early friendship, noting their shared sense of humor and love for David Letterman. He became a professional musician, touring with artists like Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind and Fire and Paula Abdul. When Kimmel launched his late-night show, he insisted on having Escobedo as the bandleader. "Of course I wanted great musicians, but I wanted somebody I had chemistry with," Kimmel said in a past interview. Kimmel dedicated a segment to Escobedo on his 50th birthday in 2016, sharing humorous stories from their childhood. He recalled how Escobedo would steer him into trash cans while riding in a bicycle sidecar. Escobedo is survived by his wife, Lori, and their two children. His father is also a member of the Kimmel house band, playing tenor and alto saxophones. The duo celebrated nearly two decades of performing together on-screen in January 2022. Kimmel's heartfelt tribute highlights the profound impact Escobedo had on his life and career, both as a friend and a musician. This story was reported from Los Angeles.