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Jimmy Kimmel breaks down in tears as he pays tribute to pal and house band leader Cleto Escobedo III

Jimmy Kimmel breaks down in tears as he pays tribute to pal and house band leader Cleto Escobedo III

Jimmy Kimmel broke down in tears during a tribute to his house band leader and lifelong friend Cleto Escobedo III, who died on Tuesday (11.11.25) aged 59.

The 57-year-old comedian paid tribute to Cleto, the leader of the Jimmy Kimmel Live! house band Cleto and the Cletones, during his opening monologue on Tuesday night's show, and admitted his pal's passing is "just not fair".

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