Jimmy Kimmel‘s late home bandleader and good friend, Cleto Escobedo III, is survived by his household. The saxophone participant, whom Kimmel described as a “prodigy” since childhood, died on the age of 59 on November 11, 2025, and the late-night discuss present host delivered an emotional monologue in honor of Escobedo, his mother and father and his spouse and youngsters.
Whereas sending his ideas to the Escobedo household, Kimmel stated he hoped he may “remind” the late musician’s kids, as they develop up, how a lot [Escobedo] loves them, as a result of it’s lots.”
Under, study Escobedo’s spouse and their household.
What Occurred to Cleto Escobedo?
Kimmel didn’t clarify what occurred to Escobedo. Nevertheless, Web page Six reported that Escobedo had problems from a liver transplant.
Furthermore, Kimmel thanked the medical doctors and nurses at UCLA Well being for taking “extremely excellent care” of Escobedo over “these terrible few months.”
“Everybody right here on the present — we’re devastated by this,” Jimmy stated on his present. “It’s simply not honest. He was the nicest, most humble, sort and at all times humorous particular person.”

Was Cleto Escobedo Married?
Sure, Escobedo was married to his spouse, Lori Escobedo. The couple stored many of the particulars of their life collectively personal, so it’s unclear how lengthy they’d been collectively earlier than he died.
Did Cleto Escobedo Have Youngsters With His Spouse?
Sure, as beforehand famous, Cleto and Lori shared two kids collectively. The spouses stored their kids’s lives away from the general public eye.
How Did Cleto Escobedo Die?
On the time of publication, no reason for loss of life for Escobedo has been disclosed. In an Instagram announcement shared by Kimmel, the comic expressed how “heartbroken” everybody on his present felt concerning the loss.
“Early this morning, we misplaced an incredible good friend, 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 subsequent to 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 on daily basis is a dream neither of us may ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your mates and please hold Cleto’s spouse, kids and oldsters in your prayers.”

