We reflect today with heavy hearts on the life of Cleto Escobedo III, the gifted saxophonist band leader of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and a lifelong friend of the host, Jimmy Kimmel. He passed away on November 11, 2025, at the age of 59. Their friendship began in Las Vegas, when Kimmel’s family moved there in 1977. As children, Kimmel and Escobedo became fast friends neighbors, partners in youthful mischief, and kindred spirits. Kimmel has shared tales of their escapades. Escobedo driving the sidecar of a bike into bushes with Kimmel in tow the two gleefully pulling pranks together. That friendship matured into a professional collaboration years later. When “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” launched in 2003, Kimmel insisted on having Escobedo lead the house band because for him, it wasn’t just about talent, but about chemistry, trust and shared history.
His Musical Journey
Escobedo’s musical pedigree was strong A prodigious saxophonist from a young age, he went on to tour with artists such as Paula Abdul and Marc Anthony, and recorded widely. He led the band Cleto and the Cletones, which became a staple of “Jimmy Kimmel Live!”, performing nightly, setting the tone and providing musical identity.
The Loss Felt by Many
On the evening of November 11, Kimmel opened his show in tears, delivering one of the hardest monologues he’s ever had to do. “We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years… I’ve had to do some hard monologues… but this one’s the hardest,” he said. He announced that the Nov 12 and Nov 13 episodes would be canceled to process the loss. The official cause of death has not been publicly confirmed, though some reports indicate complications from a liver transplant.
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A Legacy of Music, Friendship & Dedication
- For more than two decades, Escobedo was the musical backbone of the show.
- For Kimmel, Cleto was so much more to him than just a bandleader he was like a family like a brother from another mother.
- Their friendship reminds us that professional collaborations can also be built on deep personal bonds with people.
- In a world of surface level connections, their friendship has stand out for its longevity, loyalty and mutual respect for each other.
A Message to Cherish
In his tribute of the lastest show, Jimmy asked the viewers, “Cherish your friends.” Indeed, the partnership/friendship of Jimmy and Cleto shows how friendship can evolve, grow, deepen, and create something long lasting. May Cleto Escobedo III rest in peace as musician, father, son, friend, and artist.
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