Jimmy Kimmel announced on Tuesday, November 11, that his longtime friend and show bandleader Cleto Escobedo III died at the age of 59.

“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” the talk show host, 57, wrote in a statement shared via Instagram. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”

Kimmel called working with his childhood pal on Jimmy Kimmel Live! “a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.”

He concluded by telling his followers, “Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”

Scroll down to learn more about Escobedo:

Jimmy Kimmel and Cleto Escobedo III Have Been Friends for Decades

The comedian revealed on Tuesday that he and C

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