The forged and crew of Jimmy Kimmel Reside! are grieving a major loss. Jimmy Kimmel introduced the heartbreaking demise of his childhood buddy and Cleto and the Cletones bandleader, Cleto Escobedo III, on November 11, 2025. Escobedo was 59 when he died, which prompted viewers to marvel what occurred to the professional saxophone participant.
“To say that we’re heartbroken is an understatement,” the late-night host wrote, partially, in an Instagram submit alongside a photograph of Escobedo.
“Early this morning, we misplaced an important buddy, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel continued. “Cleto and I’ve been inseparable since I used to be 9 years previous. The truth that we started working collectively every single day is a dream neither of us might ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your mates and please hold Cleto’s spouse, kids and oldsters in your prayers.”
How Lengthy Did Jimmy Kimmel & Cleto Escobedo Know Every Different?
Kimmel and Escobedo had been long-time mates. They’ve identified one another because the comic was 9 years previous, after rising up as neighbors in Las Vegas.
In 2015, Kimmel recalled witnessing his buddy develop up from a “baby prodigy” to knowledgeable musician.
“Like, the entire faculty would collect to look at. He’d get standing ovations. It was a loopy factor,” Kimmel mentioned in 2015, in keeping with ABC7. The comic additionally identified that Escobedo had toured with a number of skills, together with Earth, Wind and Fireplace and Paula Abdul. This and his plain stage presence helped the saxophone participant land a gig as Kimmel’s bandleader.
“And I simply thought, oh my God, you realize? I’ve a chat present. Cleto must be my bandleader,” Kimmel defined, earlier than recalling how “nervous” he was if Disney had informed him, “We don’t need your buddy to be the bandleader.”
“So, I took the president of ABC to see him play along with his band, and he liked it,” Kimmel mentioned. “In fact, I needed nice musicians, however I needed someone I had chemistry with. And there’s no one in my life I’ve higher chemistry with than him.”
What Occurred to Cleto Escobedo?
It’s nonetheless unclear what occurred to Escobedo. Kimmel didn’t disclose a reason behind demise for his late buddy, and nobody from Escobedo’s inside circle or household has spoken out by the point of publication.
Web page Six reported that Escobedo had issues stemming from a liver transplant.
Was Cleto Escobedo Married With Youngsters?
Sure, as Kimmel famous in his announcement, Escobedo is survived by his spouse and kids.
