Rumors are swirling around the future of Jimmy Kimmel’s long-running late-night career, with multiple insiders alleging that the comedian may be approaching the end of his time behind the desk. After more than twenty years hosting Jimmy Kimmel Live!, those close to the situation claim Kimmel is quietly preparing for an exit — and the reason, they say, is deeply personal.

A recent report from Rob Shuter has amplified speculation that Kimmel is seriously weighing the possibility of stepping away. According to several unnamed individuals described as being close to the host, Kimmel has been profoundly shaken by the unexpected death of his lifelong friend and bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III. These sources describe Kimmel as grieving intensely, suggesting that Escobedo’s passing has altered the way he views his priorities and the rhythms of his daily life.

One insider said the loss hit Kimmel harder than almost anything he has faced. “Cleto’s death shattered him,” the source shared. “Jimmy has been telling people that life is too short to spend night after night under bright studio lights. He wants to be fully present with his family, and he doesn’t feel like another season or another trophy matters compared to that.” The same individual suggested that Escobedo’s absence has left an emotional void on set that cannot be replicated or replaced.

Kimmel and Escobedo were not only professional partners but childhood friends who grew up together in Las Vegas and attended Guinn Junior High. Their bond stretched across decades, long before the rise of late-night fame. When Jimmy Kimmel Live! launched in 2003, Escobedo and his band, Cleto and the Cletones, became an integral part of the show’s identity. Over the years, the house band didn’t just accompany musical segments — they set the tone of the program and contributed to its sense of camaraderie. “They built the show side by side,” one insider explained. “Without Cleto, the spark isn’t the same.”

Escobedo, who was 59, died on November 11. In the days following the news, Kimmel shared a deeply emotional tribute on Instagram. He later delivered a raw and heartfelt monologue on air, recounting stories from their youth and speaking through tears as he honored the man he had known for nearly his entire life. Those who watched the moment witnessed how much the loss impacted him.

In addition to the grief he is processing, sources at ABC reportedly believe that Kimmel had been contemplating retirement even before Escobedo’s death. According to one network insider, Kimmel had considered stepping away the previous year but ultimately chose not to do so because of a controversy at the time. “He didn’t want it to seem like he was ducking out to escape backlash or criticism,” the insider claimed. They alleged that Kimmel privately expressed that remaining on the show felt like the right thing to do — especially given the pressure of the situation.

Now, according to these same sources, Kimmel has allegedly indicated that he stayed partly to honor Escobedo and keep the show steady while the bandleader was still part of it. “He told people, ‘I came back to honor Cleto. Once that chapter is settled… I’m finished,’” one source said. Those close to the production believe that if Kimmel decides to exit, he will do so on his own timeline and with the full support of staff and colleagues who understand the emotional weight behind the choice.

Another employee from the show’s team added that everyone around Kimmel recognizes he has given more than two decades to late-night television and would have every right to walk away when he feels it’s appropriate. “He’ll leave when he decides it’s time, and no one is going to fault him for it,” the staffer noted.

At this point, however, Kimmel himself has issued no formal announcement about his future. Despite the intense speculation circulating through the press and social media, the host has not confirmed any plans to depart Jimmy Kimmel Live! or given a timeline for what might come next. For now, his fans — and the entertainment world at large — can only wait for an official word from Kimmel about whether he intends to stay or say goodbye to the show he has helmed for more than twenty years.