The recent passing of Cleto Escobedo III, a close childhood friend of Jimmy Kimmel, has been officially confirmed. Cleto, a 59-year-old musician who led the band Cleto and the Cletones, the longtime house band for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, passed away on November 11. He had been associated with the show since its inception in 2003 and shared a lifelong friendship with Jimmy, who is 58 years old.
Reports indicate that Cleto’s death was attributed to his heart’s inability to adequately pump blood, leading to cardiogenic shock. The immediate cause of death was noted as cardiogenic shock on his death certificate, with underlying factors including vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.
Cardiogenic shock, a critical condition, occurs when the heart suddenly fails to supply enough blood to meet the body’s demands, as explained by the Mayo Clinic. TMZ also revealed that other contributing factors to Cleto’s passing included sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, and pneumonia.
Following his cremation, Cleto was remembered as a dedicated entertainer with a musical career spanning 40 years. He had been absent from Jimmy Kimmel Live! for an extended period due to his declining health.
In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, Jimmy expressed profound grief over Cleto’s untimely demise, emphasizing their enduring friendship since childhood and their extraordinary journey of working together. Jimmy also shared the difficult news with his audience on the show, acknowledging the profound impact of Cleto’s passing on both him and the team.
The duo’s friendship dates back to 1977 when they first met in Las Vegas as youngsters. They quickly formed a deep bond, spending countless hours together and sharing a mutual love for music. Cleto’s exceptional talent as a saxophonist, inherited from his father, eventually led him to join Jimmy’s show band, fulfilling a lifelong dream for both Cleto and his father.
In the wake of Cleto’s passing, Jimmy and his team were devastated, prompting the cancellation of scheduled shows as a mark of respect. Jimmy also initiated fundraising efforts for the medical center where Cleto received care and a charity in honor of Cleto’s love for animals.