The death of a late-night bandleader is rarely a top-tier news story, but the passing of Cleto Escobedo III is different. It is a devastating loss that rips at the heart of one of Hollywood's most enduring personal and professional partnerships.
Jimmy Kimmel, the host of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, announced on Tuesday that his bandleader and childhood best friend, Cleto Escobedo III, had died at the age of 59. While no cause of death has been officially provided, the news follows a period of absence from the show for the musician, who had reportedly been ill for months.
