The cause of death for Cleto Escobedo III has been officially detailed through his death certificate, which lists cardiogenic shock as the immediate medical event leading to his passing. The document, obtained by TMZ, also identifies several underlying conditions, including vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. Additional contributing factors included sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, and pneumonia.
Cardiogenic shock, described by the Mayo Clinic as a rare but critical condition in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood to sustain the body, was central to Escobedo’s decline. While a major or severe heart attack is often associated with this condition, it does not occur in every case of cardiac arrest, according to the organization.
Escobedo, widely recognized as the leader of Cleto and the Cletones, died on November 11 at the age of 59. His death was confirmed by his lifelong friend Jimmy Kimmel, who shared the news through an emotional Instagram post.
In his tribute, Kimmel remembered Escobedo as a devoted friend, father, son, musician, and colleague. He reflected on their long history together, noting that their friendship began when he was nine years old and eventually evolved into a working partnership neither had anticipated. Cleto and the Cletones have served as the house band for Jimmy Kimmel Live! since the show debuted in 2003.
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Kimmel expressed profound grief in his message, writing that describing the loss as heartbreaking did not fully capture the depth of his sorrow. He encouraged fans to cherish their friendships and asked that they keep Escobedo’s family in their thoughts and prayers. He later told ABC7 that Escobedo had been a child prodigy and had already accumulated significant musical accomplishments long before joining the late night program. Escobedo toured with major acts such as Earth, Wind and Fire and Paula Abdul, and held a record deal prior to accepting the role as bandleader on Kimmel’s show.
On the November 11 episode of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, the host began the night in tears, delivering what he described as the most difficult monologue of his career. Following the heartfelt tribute, Kimmel cancelled the shows scheduled for November 12 and November 13. During the November 11 taping, Escobedo’s father, Cleto Escobedo Sr., performed with the show’s band, adding another emotional layer to the broadcast. Kimmel said that everyone associated with the production admired Escobedo and that the entire team was devastated by the loss, expressing that the situation felt profoundly unfair.
Escobedo had previously spoken warmly about his experience on the show during a 2021 ABC Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month featurette. He called the job the best opportunity he had ever had and spoke about the influence of his father on his musical career. He shared that he took up the saxophone because his father played the instrument and recalled the sacrifices his father made for their family.
Before Escobedo was born, his father spent years performing on the road, but once Escobedo began school, he gave up touring to take a job as a busboy at Caesar’s Palace, where he worked for three decades to remain present for his son.
Escobedo’s legacy remains closely tied to his musicianship, his longstanding partnership with Kimmel, and the deep personal connections he built over his lifetime. His absence leaves a significant void for his family, colleagues, and the many viewers who came to know him through his nightly performances.