Jimmy Kimmel Stay! misplaced a buddy and colleague in home bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. The Cleto and the Cletones saxophone participant, who was additionally Jimmy Kimmel‘s greatest buddy rising up, died at age of 59 on November 11, 2025. The late-night host delivered an emotional tribute to Escobedo later that day, thanking docs and nurses for taking good care of the late musician over “these terrible few months.” Kimmel’s remark prompted questions amongst viewers, who questioned whether or not Escobedo was battling a well being challenge earlier than his demise.
“We’ve been on the air for nearly 23 years, and I’ve needed to do some onerous monologues alongside the way in which,” Kimmel mentioned in tears. “This one’s the toughest as a result of late final evening, early this morning, we misplaced somebody very particular who was too younger to go.”
Kimmel and his crew are taking the subsequent few nights off to grieve the late musician. Hold studying to study what we all know relating to Escobedo’s heartbreaking demise.
What Occurred to Kimmel’s Bandleader Cleto Escobedo?
Escobedo died the morning of November 11, 2025, Kimmel introduced in an Instagram submit that day.
“Early this morning, we misplaced an awesome buddy, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we’re heartbroken is an understatement,” the comic wrote in his caption alongside a photograph of Escobedo on stage. “Cleto and I’ve been inseparable since I used to be 9 years previous. The truth that we started working collectively day by day is a dream neither of us may ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your pals and please maintain Cleto’s spouse, youngsters and fogeys in your prayers.”
What Was Cleto Escobedo’s Reason for Loss of life?
Escobedo’s quick reason for demise was revealed on November 14 as cardiogenic shock, with vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver as underlying causes, per TMZ.
Nonetheless, Web page Six reported that the late musician had problems stemming from a liver transplant.
Was Cleto Escobedo Sick Earlier than He Died?
Per Escobedo’s demise certificates, different situations that contributed to his demise included sepsis, graft versus host illness, immunosuppressed, continual kidney illness and pneumonia, based on TMZ.
Kimmel thanked the medical crew at UCLA Well being for taking “extremely excellent care” of the saxophone participant over “these terrible few months.”
“Everybody right here on the present — we’re devastated by this,” Jimmy mentioned by way of tears. “It’s simply not truthful. He was the nicest, most humble, type and at all times humorous individual.”
Was Cleto Escobedo Married With Children?
Sure, Escobedo was married to his spouse, Lori, and so they had two youngsters collectively. Kimmel shared a photograph of the Escobedo household throughout his monologue on November 11.
