Cleto Escobedo III died on November 11, 2025, at the age of 59. His death followed several months of illness, with reports suggesting complications related to a liver transplant; however, official statements from his family or representatives did not immediately confirm a specific cause. His longtime friend and colleague Jimmy Kimmel announced the news publicly and paused the show to grieve with his family. Details and context
- Cleto Escobedo III was best known as the bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live!’s house band, Cleto and the Cletones, a role he held since the show's 2003 debut.
- Jimmy Kimmel publicly mourned his loss, describing Escobedo as a close friend since childhood and noting that the family appreciated privacy during their difficult time.
- Media coverage and tributes highlighted Escobedo’s influence on the show and his contributions as a musician, with several outlets reporting on potential liver transplant-related complications as part of the reported health issues preceding his death. Official cause remained unconfirmed by his family or representatives in initial reports.
If you’d like, I can pull in more up-to-date statements from reliable outlets or summarize reactions from colleagues and fans.
