EXCLUSIVE: Jimmy Kimmel Breakdown Fears Explode — Late Night Host 'Spiraling' After Best Friend's Sudden Death
After his best friend's sudden death, late-night host Jimmy Kimmel's breakdown fears spiral badly.
Dec. 29 2025, Published 6:15 a.m. ET
Heartbroken Jimmy Kimmel is barely holding it together after losing his BFF and longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo – and RadarOnline.com can reveal friends fear the late‑night cutup is on the verge of a breakdown.
"Jimmy is spiraling," shared a source. "He's known Cleto since he was just a kid and he never expected him to be gone this soon. It's got Jimmy facing his own mortality and questioning everything. He's in a very dark place."
Kimmel Never Recovered From Outrage
Charlie Kirk's killing backlash left Jimmy Kimmel facing intense criticism after his on-air remarks.
Escobedo's sudden death at age 59 came less than two months after ABC booted Kimmel, 58, off the air for his comments about right‑wing activist Charlie Kirk's murder.
Despite condemning Kirk's killing during his September 15 broadcast, calling it "horrible and monstrous," critics accused Kimmel of politicizing the tragedy.
The network pulled the plug for nearly a week before the show returned on September 23, when a visibly emotional Kimmel offered condolences to Kirk's family.
His TV return should have been a triumph, according to the source, but Kimmel has not recovered from the "chilling" backlash.
Host Hints at Early Exit
Cleto Escobedo's sudden death deepened concerns as insiders described Kimmel's emotional spiral.
"Jimmy got back on the air, so a lot of people assume that he's moved past this and is feeling like a champ, but that's not the case. He feels very beaten down," said the insider.
"He's used to people not liking him, but the level of hate was more than he ever anticipated. He was getting death threats. No one should have to endure that."
Even before the unexpected passing of his closest friend, the TV host was hinting he was ready to jump the late‑night ship when his current contract expires in May 2026.
Pals Worried For Kimmel
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ABC's weeklong suspension of Kimmel followed criticism over his comments on Kirk's murder.
"Jimmy is tired, and he's grieving, and he's completely burned out. You can see just by looking at him that he's barely holding it together," warned the insider.
"People in his life are begging him to step back from the show before the job eats him alive. They're terrified that if he doesn't make a change soon, the stress will destroy him. He's never been this down."
