Cleto Escobedo III, the beloved band leader of Jimmy Kimmel Live! and lifelong friend of host Jimmy Kimmel, passed away on November 11, 2023, at the age of 59. The news of his death has prompted an outpouring of condolences and heartfelt tributes, particularly from Kimmel, who expressed his sorrow during a special segment of his show on the day of Escobedo’s passing.
During his emotional monologue, Kimmel described his deep bond with Escobedo, recalling memories from their childhood. He shared that they became “not just regular friends,” but rather “the 24/7, ‘Mom please let me sleep over, please’ kind of friends.” Kimmel reminisced about summers spent at the Escobedo household, where he stayed over for 33 consecutive nights. He highlighted their shared experiences, including afternoons of whiffle ball, Nerf football games in the street, and late-night prank calls.
Kimmel articulated the profound sense of loss he feels, stating, “We are devastated by [the news of his death]. It’s just not fair. He was the nicest, most humble, kind, and always funny person.” His grief was also evident in a heartfelt message shared on Instagram, where he described Escobedo as his “great friend” and “longtime band leader.” Kimmel reflected on their nearly 23 years of collaboration, saying, “The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.”
The cause of Escobedo’s death has been confirmed as cardiogenic shock, according to a death certificate reportedly obtained by TMZ. Underlying causes included vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. Other contributing factors listed were chronic kidney disease, sepsis, and pneumonia. Following his death, Escobedo was cremated.
In 2021, during an ABC feature for Hispanic Latinx Heritage Month, Escobedo described his role on Jimmy Kimmel Live! as the “best gig ever,” underscoring the joy he found in his work. His contributions to the show and the music community will be remembered fondly by fans and colleagues alike.
As tributes continue to pour in, Kimmel’s heartfelt reflections serve as a reminder of the impact that friendship and collaboration can have on both personal and professional lives. Escobedo’s legacy will undoubtedly live on through the memories he created with those who knew and loved him.
