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IcyPeas

(24,647 posts)
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 07:49 AM Nov 12

Jimmy Kimmel gave a beautifully funny and tearful

eulogy for his friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III. Cleto's family were in the audience and Cleto's father in the band.

He's taking the next few days off. The monolog is 22 minutes and it's a wonderful tribute. Jimmy's a good guy.



26 replies = new reply since forum marked as read
Highlight: NoneDon't highlight anything 5 newestHighlight 5 most recent replies
Jimmy Kimmel gave a beautifully funny and tearful (Original Post) IcyPeas Nov 12 OP
Too sad malaise Nov 12 #1
Jimmy... 2naSalit Nov 12 #2
Reportedly complications from a liver transplant. Tanuki Nov 12 #8
Thanks... 2naSalit Nov 12 #13
Jimmy is a class act! K & R Emile Nov 12 #3
We watched this on TV last night. Silver Gaia Nov 12 #4
Heartfelt and sincere pfitz59 Nov 12 #5
Jimmy reminds what is important bucolic_frolic Nov 12 #6
KNR niyad Nov 12 #7
Jimmy did an amazing job. You could see how heartbroken Jimmy was. TommieMommy Nov 12 #9
Jimmy is a good guy, no wonder the right hates him. dem4decades Nov 12 #10
Beautiful. progressoid Nov 12 #11
Poor guy. His heart is broken. I feel for him. RIP, Cleto. ms liberty Nov 12 #12
Jimmy Kimmel has a heart and a soul. It's no wonder that Lard Ass can't stand him. 11 Bravo Nov 12 #14
He is a good guy Mblaze Nov 12 #15
Thanks so much for posting this Picaro Nov 12 #16
Beautiful tribute full of heart and humor Wild blueberry Nov 12 #17
Oh man, I just now watched it. That had to be Emile Nov 12 #18
How wonderful to have such a close friend Tree Lady Nov 12 #19
Just watched my DVR copy of Jimmy's heartfelt tribute to his friend..... a kennedy Nov 12 #20
wonderful tribute Skittles Nov 12 #21
Jimmy Kimmel's Tribute to his Cha Nov 12 #22
Today is Jimmy Kimmel's Birthday! November 13, Cha Nov 13 #23
Oh it is? I hope he finds some happy moments today IcyPeas Nov 13 #24
Thank you for the Vid... I looked up Cha Nov 13 #25
This was a great tribute to his friend and colleague LetMyPeopleVote Nov 13 #26

2naSalit

(99,050 posts)
2. Jimmy...
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 08:05 AM
Nov 12

Has a tender heart and is full of compassion for others, he's truly one of the good ones. I didn't like him in his early days of "jackass" and whatnot but he has become a standup guy in every way, which is laudable.

Very sad about his friend who seems to ( from listening to this monologue) died from some sort of illness as it sounds as though he has been in the hospital for weeks at least.

Tanuki

(16,199 posts)
8. Reportedly complications from a liver transplant.
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 09:14 AM
Nov 12
https://azat.tv/en/cleto-escobedo-iii-death-cause-liver-transplant-complications/

..."While there has yet to be an official statement from Cleto’s family or the show’s team, multiple reports, including OnlyMyHealth, suggest that Escobedo’s death was linked to complications following a liver transplant. Sources close to the musician described his health as fragile in recent months, though specifics are still unclear. The absence of confirmation leaves room for speculation, but the prevailing theory among media outlets remains focused on post-transplant medical challenges.

Liver transplantation is often hailed as a life-saving procedure, but it is not without risk. Experts note that recovery is a delicate process, fraught with potential complications such as infection, organ rejection, or even liver failure. According to a study published in Liver Transplantation, nearly 38% of deceased-donor and 47% of living-donor recipients experience major complications within 90 days of the surgery. These can include bile-duct leaks, bleeding that requires further surgery, or blood-vessel issues. Whether Cleto experienced any of these is not publicly known, yet the statistics underscore how unpredictable and precarious post-transplant recovery can be.".... (more)

2naSalit

(99,050 posts)
13. Thanks...
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 09:50 AM
Nov 12

I had no idea of any of this. Honestly, the man was hardly on my radar since I never get to see videos of the band on the show. Caught a glimpse of him occasionally when he and Jimmy would interact and that's about it. All the same, he sounds like a great person and talented musician, sorry I missed that part while he was here.

Silver Gaia

(5,183 posts)
4. We watched this on TV last night.
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 08:22 AM
Nov 12

We were just channel surfing and landed there. I knew about Cleto's passing, but had no idea how close they were. It was a wonderful eulogy. He touched my heart.

pfitz59

(12,111 posts)
5. Heartfelt and sincere
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 08:23 AM
Nov 12

a huge backstory about best friends forever. Makes me admire Jimmy even more.

Mblaze

(884 posts)
15. He is a good guy
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 10:41 AM
Nov 12

How difficult it must be to show your emotions so deeply in front of a camera and America. I thought it was beautiful. RIP Cleto Escobedo III.

Emile

(39,324 posts)
18. Oh man, I just now watched it. That had to be
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 01:57 PM
Nov 12

hard for Jimmy, but what an amazing eulogy. Here I am, and old retired truck driver and he had me crying. Jimmy is hands down, a real class act!

Tree Lady

(12,917 posts)
19. How wonderful to have such a close friend
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 04:09 PM
Nov 12

And so many good memories, they all helped form the good person Jimmy is today.

a kennedy

(34,935 posts)
20. Just watched my DVR copy of Jimmy's heartfelt tribute to his friend.....
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 07:35 PM
Nov 12

I bawled through the whole thing. And damn I absolutely love Jimmy. ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️ ♥️

Skittles

(168,717 posts)
21. wonderful tribute
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 08:02 PM
Nov 12

Last edited Wed Nov 12, 2025, 08:44 PM - Edit history (1)

so striking the way Jimmy went from overwhelming sadness to absolute joy while reminiscing about Cleto......we should all be so lucky to have friends like Cleto and his family in our lives

Cha

(315,979 posts)
22. Jimmy Kimmel's Tribute to his
Wed Nov 12, 2025, 11:23 PM
Nov 12

Dear Friend, Cleto, was Phenomenal💔

Absolutely Amazing Life long Friendship.

Mahalo IcyPas ~

IcyPeas

(24,647 posts)
24. Oh it is? I hope he finds some happy moments today
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 07:42 AM
Nov 13

The comments under the video are all so beautiful too. Everyone felt his love for Cleto. Jimmy really connects with his fans. So many were crying along with him.

The first time I remember him crying was when his son was born and they immediately had to do surgery on his heart. He told that story in a heart-wrenching monolog. He was so emotional. His son is fine now but imagine the shock and fear when your tiny newborn has to have surgery.

Happy Birthday Jimmy. 💙💔🎷

Here's that monolog:







Cha

(315,979 posts)
25. Thank you for the Vid... I looked up
Thu Nov 13, 2025, 03:37 PM
Nov 13

Jimmy Kimmel after I saw his Cleto Tribute.. that's how I found out it's his birthday.

I'm late to watching Jimmy Kimmel Live! But After he was Cancelled and all the Boycotting Disney ensued I wanted to hear what he had to say.. And I discovered how Funny and brilliant he is.

Don't have a TV So I watch his monologues on Liberal youtubes...

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