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Jimmy Kimmel is still mourning his close friend and “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” band leader Cleto Escobedo.
The grieving late-night host recently took to social media to announce the launch of two fundraisers on Escobedo’s behalf following his shocking death earlier this week at the age of 59.
“Cleto was always kind and eager to help others,” the comedian, 58, wrote on Instagram on Friday. “As we mourn his loss, we have started two fundraisers to celebrate his life and give back.”
Kimmel went on to reveal that he and Escobedo’s loved ones are raising money for UCLA Medical Center and The Animal Foundation in the late band leader’s honor.
“The first is for UCLA Medical Center where he received such incredible care,” the late-night host continued alongside two photos of Escobedo. “Together we can help vulnerable patients and families in need of financial assistance during hard times.“
“And to honor his love of animals, The Animal Foundation in our hometown of Las Vegas,” Kimmel concluded his message. “Links to give are in my bio. Thank you so much.”
After clicking on the links included in Kimmel’s Instagram bio, users are taken to fundraising pages dedicated to donating in Escobedo’s memory.
Each page also included a touching message about the late musician’s life and how the money collected in his honor will be utilized.
“In memory of our friend Cleto, we’d like to thank all the hardworking specialists, doctors, and nurses at UCLA,” read Escobedo’s page on the UCLA Medical Center website. “They worked tirelessly and generously to give him the best care.”
“Cleto was always kind and eager to help others. To honor his generous spirit, we’d like to help vulnerable patients and families in need of financial assistance during hard times,” it added. “Let’s help others in Cleto’s name.”
The other fundraiser, meanwhile, highlighted Escobedo’s love of animals.
“Cleto was a compassionate animal lover,” that page read. “He loved each of his rescue dogs like they were family. Please consider making a donation to The Animal Foundation in his hometown of Las Vegas.”
“Cleto would have loved his friends and family helping to provide safety, healing and homes for pets in need,” it concluded.
Escobedo, alongside his band “Cleto and the Cletones,” handled the music on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” since the ABC talk show premiered back in 2003.
He and Kimmel first met when the comedian’s family moved from Brooklyn to Las Vegas in 1977.
But after abruptly canceling the live taping of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” scheduled for Thursday, Nov. 6, due to a “personal matter,” the late-night host took to Instagram to announce that Escobedo had tragically passed away.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel wrote on Tuesday, Nov. 11.
Kimmel then broke down in tears while paying tribute to his late friend during Tuesday night’s “hardest” opening monologue.
“We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to do some hard monologues along the way, but this one’s the hardest because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young,” he said.
Although the cause of death has not yet been announced, Page Six reported that Escobedo may have suffered complications stemming from a recent liver transplant.