Jimmy Kimmel’s Bandleader Cleto Escobedo:
Cleto Escobedo III was a beloved figure on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, serving as bandleader of “Cleto and the Cletones” and a friend of host Jimmy Kimmel since childhood. He died on Nov. 11, 2025 at age 59.In his Instagram announcement, Kimmel wrote that “early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man…” and that “to say that we are heartbroken is an understatement”.Below are the key facts about Escobedo’s passing, drawn from public reports:
- Death: Escobedo died Nov. 11, 2025, at age 59 according to people.com. Kimmel and Escobedo had been “inseparable” childhood friends who grew up across the street from each other in Las Vegas according to cbsnews.com.
- Family: He is survived by his wife Lori and their two children according to primetimer.com. (Kimmel’s Instagram asked readers to “please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”people.com)
- Jimmy Kimmel Live!: Escobedo led the Cletones on Jimmy Kimmel Live! since the show’s 2003 debut, often playing saxophone alongside his father, Cleto Escobedo Sr. according to cbsnews.com. Notably, the show’s Nov. 6 episode was canceled for a “personal matter,” which later coincided with Escobedo’s illness according to people.comcbsnews.com.
- Cause of Death: No official cause has been announced according to cbsnews.. Major outlets report that the date and cause “weren’t immediately known” according to cbsnews.com. Primetimer notes that “Cleto Escobedo’s cause of death has not been revealed,” and that unverified tabloids (e.g. Page Six) speculated about liver transplant complications according to primetimer.com. In short, nothing about the cause has been confirmed by Escobedo’s family or authorities according to washingtonpost.com.
About Cleto Escobedo III
Cleto Escobedo III was a professional saxophonist and bandleader. He and Kimmel first met in grade school, bonding over music and humor according to cbsnews.comcbsnews.com. Escobedo went on to tour with major acts – “Earth, Wind and Fire” and singer Paula Abdul – and even landed his own record deal before joining Kimmel’s show according to people.com. When Kimmel launched his late-night show in 2003, he insisted Escobedo lead the house band according to cbsnews.com. Audiences knew him as a gifted musician: Kimmel once called Escobedo a “child prodigy” whose school performances earned him standing ovations according to people.compeople.com. Escobedo’s father also played in the band; the pair celebrated nearly 20 years of performing together in early 2022 according to cbsnews.com.
In person, Escobedo was known as generous and fun-loving. Kimmel’s Instagram tribute describes Escobedo as “a great friend, father, son, musician and man”, and recalls their lifelong pranks and shared jokes. Other colleagues also expressed shock and sorrow at his passing. In sum, Escobedo was much more than a TV musician – he was part of Kimmel’s family and a fixture of late-night TV for two decades.
Announcement of His Passing
News of Escobedo’s death broke on Nov. 11, 2025 via Jimmy Kimmel’s social media according to people.com. Kimmel wrote that Escobedo had been his “longtime bandleader” and friend since age nine, calling their shared career “a dream” according to people.com. Kimmel’s post did not mention any cause of death according to washingtonpost.compeople.com. In fact, both Kimmel and news reports made clear that no cause had been released. The Washington Post noted Kimmel “did not cite the cause of death” in his announcement according to washingtonpost.com. CBS News likewise reported that the date and cause “weren’t immediately known” according to cbsnews.com.
In the days prior, an episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live! (scheduled for Nov. 6) was canceled with little explanation. Entertainment Weekly later confirmed the cancellation was due to a “personal matter,” and CBS News remarked that this occurred just days before Escobedo’s death according to people.comcbsnews.com. Though Kimmel never spelled it out, many inferred that the “personal matter” involved Escobedo’s health. Regardless, the public announcement came solely via Kimmel’s tribute. The family has issued no press statement, and Escobedo’s father (also a band member) declined to share additional details when interviewed according to primetimer.com.
Cause of Death (Confirmed Information)
As of now, the exact cause of Escobedo’s death remains unknown to the public. No official bulletin or obituary has cited a cause, and Kimmel’s own announcement makes no mention of illness. Credible news sources all emphasize this uncertainty. For example, CBS News – citing the Associated Press – explicitly reported that “the date and cause of Escobedo’s death weren’t immediately known” according to cbsnews.com. The Washington Post similarly stated that Kimmel’s post did not reveal a cause…
In this vacuum, some media outlets have floated explanations, but none are confirmed. A few entertainment sites repeated a Page Six rumor that Escobedo had recently undergone a liver transplant and died of complications. Primetimer summed it up: “Cleto Escobedo’s cause of death has not been revealed… Page Six has reported that he may have died due to complications caused by a liver transplant. Notably, this claim has not been verified.” according toprimetimer.com. Likewise, a marketing magazine (Merca2.0) reported similar transplant issues, but it provided no new confirmation. In the absence of any official word, it’s safest to say: Escobedo’s family and representatives have not confirmed any cause – and so far this death has not been treated as suspicious or newsworthy beyond Kimmel’s statement.
In short, all that is “publicly confirmed” is that Escobedo died suddenly at home and Kimmel announced it. Any specific medical explanation seen in tabloids or social media should be treated as unverified. Friends and fans have respected the family’s privacy by not pressing for details, echoing Kimmel’s message to “cherish your friends” and “keep [the family] in your prayers” according to people.com.
Remembering Cleto
Cleto Escobedo’s passing has deeply affected the Jimmy Kimmel Live! community and fans of the show. Colleagues remembered him as a talented musician with a warm personality. On social media, viewers noted how Escobedo’s sax solos and on-screen presence were a constant for 20+ years of late-night TV. Kimmel’s own emotional tribute – calling him “a great friend… my longtime bandleader” and saying he was “heartbroken” according to people.com – underscored their bond.
Outside of Kimmel’s world, Escobedo may be less widely known, but tributes have poured in from fellow entertainers and locals in Las Vegas (where he grew up). Many news reports on his death highlighted his musical credits and friendship with Kimmel. In remembering Escobedo, most accounts focus on his life and work, not his death. In that spirit, here are some additional resources:
- Supporting loved ones in crisis: The loss of a friend or family member is very difficult. LumeChronos has a general-purpose health guide on helping someone with depression – for example, it notes “Watching a loved one struggle with depression can leave you feeling… heartbroken. You want to support them… It’s important to remember that depression is a serious medical condition, not a choice.”lumechronos.com. While not about death, this article (titled “How to deal with depression patient – A complete guide”) offers compassionate advice for people coping with loved ones in tough times (which may be helpful if you are processing grief after Cleto’s death).
- Grief and self-care: LumeChronos and other sites also publish tips on managing stress and loss (e.g. digital detox to boost mood, sleep hygiene, etc.). These are not specific to Escobedo but may offer useful context on emotional well-being following a loss.
Sources: All key facts above are drawn from public news reports. Jimmy Kimmel’s Instagram post was reported by People and CBS News, both of which confirm the death date and age. Washington Post and CBS explicitly note that no cause of death was given. Primetimer (a TV news site) collected the unconfirmed transplant rumor and emphasized it was “notably… not verified”. Where possible, we have cited these original reports.
