When the news broke that Cleto Escobedo III had passed away at just 59, millions saw the headlines. But few people understood the depth of the loss felt by one man — Jimmy Kimmel.
For decades, Jimmy and Cleto were more than colleagues. They were brothers in spirit, bound by a friendship that began when they were just nine years old. Their laughter, their music, and their shared life moments became the heartbeat of
Jimmy Kimmel Live! — a rhythm audiences felt even if they never fully understood its source.
And yet, less than 24 hours after Cleto’s death, Jimmy Kimmel made three quietly heartbreaking decisions — decisions shaped not by fame or television, but by the kind of devotion that only lifelong friendship can forge.
1. A Scholarship Born From a Promise Long Ago
Those who knew Cleto well understood the pride he carried for his hometown — Las Vegas, its people, its culture, and its unlikely beauty. It was the soil that shaped him, the place where his love for music first took root.
Jimmy knew this.
He always had.
So his first decision was simple, yet profound: he would establish a scholarship in Cleto’s name to help young musicians chase their dreams.
Not for publicity.
Not for applause.
But because Cleto had once said he wished kids from their neighborhood could have more opportunities than he did.
Jimmy made sure that wish didn’t fade with time.
The scholarship wasn’t just a memorial — it was a continuation of Cleto’s gentle encouragement, his quiet belief in young talent, his habit of lifting others just by being himself.
2. Carrying the Burden Cleto’s Family Should Never Have Faced
When a person passes, the weight that falls on their family is heavy — too heavy, especially in the fog of grief. Jimmy knew this intimately, having walked the fragile line between public life and private heartbreak more than once.
Within hours, he reached out to Cleto’s family with a promise:
They would not face this alone.
Jimmy covered every funeral expense — not because he felt obligated, but because Cleto had spent his life giving everything he had without asking for anything in return.
This was Jimmy’s way of giving something back.
He also made private arrangements to help Cleto’s loved ones through the difficult months ahead — a gesture that spoke not of celebrity, but of brotherhood.
3. An Entire Episode Devoted to a Life That Made Millions Smile
Finally, Jimmy made a decision that fans across the world will never forget.
He dedicated an entire episode of his show to Cleto — not with fanfare or extravagance, but with sincerity. The studio lights felt softer. The laughter was quieter. And yet, the love in the room was unmistakable.
Classic clips of Cleto played on the screen:
his shy smiles, his playful riffs, the moments when his music carried Jimmy’s jokes, and the rare times when he stepped into the spotlight and stole the show.
Viewers who had watched for years suddenly realized how much Cleto had shaped the soul of the program — and how empty the stage felt without him.
In one particularly moving moment, Jimmy’s voice cracked as he spoke about the boy he grew up with, the man who stood beside him through triumphs, failures, and ordinary Tuesday nights.
“He was my family,” Jimmy whispered.
And for the first time, the entire world believed him.
A Farewell Written in Love, Not Words
Cleto Escobedo III wasn’t just a band leader.
He was a friend, a father, a musician whose kindness filled the spaces between notes.
And Jimmy Kimmel — heartbroken, grieving, but determined — ensured that Cleto’s name, his laughter, and his music would echo far beyond one television show.
Scholarships will carry his legacy.
His family will feel his presence in their time of need.
And millions of viewers will remember the night his life was honored in front of the world.
Some friendships end with silence.
Jimmy and Cleto’s ended with a promise — one that will outlive them both.
The Day They Finally Saw Me
