Jimmy Kimmel steps away following the death of his close friend and bandleader.

News: Jimmy Kimmel Takes Time Off Following Friend’s Passing

Jimmy Kimmel announced on Tuesday that he’ll be stepping away from his show for the remainder of the week. This decision comes after the death of his close friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, affectionately known as “Junior.”

During an emotional tribute, Kimmel shared how deeply he valued their friendship, stating he needed a break from “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” where Escobedo’s father is also a performer. “Take care my friends, we’re not going to be here forever,” Kimmel said in his final monologue of the week. “Thank you for spoiling me. I’m going to take the next few nights off. I wanted to share about my friend tonight, but Cleto loved Eddie Murphy. He wouldn’t want us to miss out on this.”

The late-night host began his show by announcing Escobedo’s death and reflecting on the strong bond they had over the years. “We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years, and while we’ve had to face tough topics, this one… this is the hardest,” he said. “Last night and early this morning, we lost a very special person way too soon.”

Kimmel expressed his gratitude towards the audience, his fans, and especially Escobedo’s family, who always took him in as one of their own. “I really want to thank Cleto and Sylvia, Cleto’s parents, for sharing him with me and for always treating me like their own son,” he said, clearly moved as he acknowledged Escobedo’s mother in the audience.

Reflecting on their childhood together, Kimmel mentioned how they were both fans of David Letterman. He reminisced about making his debut on The David Letterman Show in 1999, calling it a pivotal moment for them both. Escobedo was a gifted saxophonist, and Kimmel described him as a child prodigy, adding that his mother attended nearly every taping of the show, just to be close to her husband and son while at work.

“She practices her rosary beads in the audience every night. She’s probably halfway through her Hail Mary right now,” Kimmel remarked. “This family is incredibly close-knit—so much so that they call each other 15 times a day when apart.” Kimmel didn’t elaborate on the specifics of Escobedo’s death, only mentioning that the 59-year-old had recently received treatment at UCLA Medical Center.