Jimmy Kimmel announced on November 11, 2025, that his longtime bandleader and childhood friend, Cleto Escobedo III, had died at 59. Escobedo led the house band Cleto and the Cletones on Jimmy Kimmel Live! and was a professional saxophonist whose career also included touring and recording with other major artists.
What Jimmy Kimmel said about Escobedo’s death
Kimmel shared the news on Instagram. In a statement reproduced by ABC News on November 11, 2025, he wrote: “Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III.”
Kimmel added, “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old.” He also described working together each day as a dream neither of them could have imagined coming true.
How Escobedo and Kimmel became friends
They met as children after Kimmel’s family moved to Las Vegas. Escobedo became his neighbor, and the two formed a close friendship that lasted into adulthood. Escobedo recalled the meeting in a 2022 oral-history interview: “We just met one day on the street, and there were a few kids on the street, and him and I just became really close friends, and we kind of had the same sense of humor. We just became pals, and we’ve been pals ever since.” The Associated Press reported that the interview was part of Texas Tech University’s Southwest Collection oral-history archive.
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Escobedo’s work as a musician and bandleader
When Kimmel launched his ABC late-night show in 2003, he lobbied for Escobedo to lead its house band. Escobedo became the frontman of Cleto and the Cletones, performing on Jimmy Kimmel Live! while continuing a broader professional music career.
As a saxophonist, Escobedo toured with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Phillip Bailey and Paula Abdul. His recording credits included work with Marc Anthony, Tom Scott and Take 6, according to the AP’s report on his death.
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What was reported about the cause of death
Kimmel’s initial announcement did not state a cause of death; ABC News said no cause had been provided at the time. In a report published November 14 and updated November 15, 2025, The Daily Beast cited a death certificate obtained by TMZ and reported cardiogenic shock as the immediate cause, with other conditions also listed. Those details came from later reporting, not from Kimmel’s announcement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Kimmel’s tribute
ABC’s official Jimmy Kimmel Live! page published a tribute to Escobedo on November 11, 2025. The video runs 22 minutes and 15 seconds and is available on ABC’s program page.
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