Tragic loss: the leader of the Jimmy Kimmel Live! orchestra has passed away
12 november 2025 в 17:50
The show Jimmy Kimmel Live! lost a friend and colleague — the leader of the house band Cleto Escobedo III. The saxophonist of the group Cleto and the Cletones, who was also Jimmy Kimmel’s best friend since childhood, passed away at the age of 59 on November 11, 2025. Later that same day, the late-night host emotionally paid tribute to Escobedo, thanking the doctors and nurses for taking care of the deceased musician during «these awful few months». Kimmel’s comments raised questions among viewers, who wondered if Escobedo had been struggling with health issues before his death.
«We've been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to deliver some tough monologues along the way», - Kimmel said tearfully. «This one is the hardest, because late last night, early this morning, we lost a very special person who was too young to go».
Kimmel and his team are taking a few days off to mourn the loss of the musician. Keep reading to find out what we know so far about Escobedo’s sad death.
Escobedo passed away on the morning of November 11, 2025, as announced by Kimmel in an Instagram post on the same day.
«Early this morning we lost a great friend, father, son, musician, and person, my longtime band leader Cleto Escobedo III. To say we are shattered is an understatement», - the comedian wrote in his caption to a photo of Escobedo on stage. «Cleto and I have been inseparable since we were 9 years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could have imagined coming true. Cherish your friends and please pray for Cleto’s wife, children, and parents».
The cause of Escobedo’s death was not immediately disclosed. However, Page Six reported that the late musician had complications following a liver transplant.
It is unclear what exactly Escobedo was facing before his death, but Kimmel thanked the UCLA Health medical staff for their «incredibly good care» of the saxophonist during «these awful few months».
«We're all shattered here on the show», - Jimmy said through tears. «It's just not fair. He was the kindest, most humble, good-natured, and always cheerful person».
Yes, Escobedo was married to his wife Lori, and they had two children. Kimmel shared a photo of the Escobedo family in his monologue on November 11
«We've been on the air for almost 23 years, and I’ve had to deliver some tough monologues along the way», - Kimmel said tearfully. «This one is the hardest, because late last night, early this morning, we lost a very special person who was too young to go».
Kimmel and his team are taking a few days off to mourn the loss of the musician. Keep reading to find out what we know so far about Escobedo’s sad death.
Escobedo passed away on the morning of November 11, 2025, as announced by Kimmel in an Instagram post on the same day.
«Early this morning we lost a great friend, father, son, musician, and person, my longtime band leader Cleto Escobedo III. To say we are shattered is an understatement», - the comedian wrote in his caption to a photo of Escobedo on stage. «Cleto and I have been inseparable since we were 9 years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could have imagined coming true. Cherish your friends and please pray for Cleto’s wife, children, and parents».
The cause of Escobedo’s death was not immediately disclosed. However, Page Six reported that the late musician had complications following a liver transplant.
It is unclear what exactly Escobedo was facing before his death, but Kimmel thanked the UCLA Health medical staff for their «incredibly good care» of the saxophonist during «these awful few months».
«We're all shattered here on the show», - Jimmy said through tears. «It's just not fair. He was the kindest, most humble, good-natured, and always cheerful person».
Yes, Escobedo was married to his wife Lori, and they had two children. Kimmel shared a photo of the Escobedo family in his monologue on November 11
© Kolganov Andrey
