Cleto Escobedo III labored alongside Jimmy Kimmel from the present’s inception in 2003, with the TV host sharing his heartbreak following the demise of his shut buddy

The reason for demise of Jimmy Kimmel’s childhood buddy, Cleto Escobedo III, has been confirmed.

The 59-year-old musician, who led Cleto and the Cletones, the home band for Jimmy Kimmel Reside!, handed away on November 11. He appeared on the present from its inception in 2003 till his demise in 2025, having identified Jimmy, 58, since they had been kids.

In accordance with experiences, Cleto died “as a result of his coronary heart could not pump sufficient blood to maintain him alive.” TMZ obtained a photograph of the band chief’s demise certificates, itemizing cardiogenic shock because the speedy reason for demise, with vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver listed because the underlying causes.

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Cardiogenic shock is a life-threatening situation which occurs when the center instantly cannot pump sufficient blood to satisfy the physique’s wants, the Mayo Clinic explains. TMZ reported that the doc additionally says different situations that contributed to Cleto’s demise included sepsis, graft versus host illness, immunosuppressed, persistent kidney illness, and pneumonia.

In accordance with the publication, Cleto was cremated, with the certificates additionally noting he was an entertainer who performed music for 40 years. He had been absent from Jimmy Kimmel Reside! for months after falling in poor health.

Jimmy confirmed his passing in an emotional Instagram tribute, writing on Tuesday: “Early this morning, we misplaced an incredible buddy, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we’re heartbroken is an understatement.

“Cleto and I’ve been inseparable since I used to be 9 years outdated. The truth that we started working collectively day-after-day is a dream neither of us might ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your mates and please preserve Cleto’s spouse, kids and oldsters in your prayers.”

The comic then opened his present on Tuesday with what he described as probably the most tough monologue of his profession. “We have been on the air for nearly 23 years, and I’ve needed to do some exhausting monologues alongside the way in which, however this one’s the toughest as a result of late final evening, early this morning, we misplaced somebody very particular who was a lot too younger,” he informed viewers.

Their friendship started in 1977, when Jimmy’s household moved from Brooklyn in New York Metropolis to Las Vegas. They settled within the Spring Valley space, the place the younger Jimmy met Cleto, who lived only a few doorways away.

“He was a yr older than me. His title was Cleto, however we referred to as him Junior,” Jimmy mentioned, including that the 2 turned inseparable. “We had sleepovers consistently. One stretch, I slept at his home 33 nights in a row.”

“He was an outstanding sax participant from a really younger age,” he continued. “He was a baby prodigy who would get standing ovations in junior highschool, when you might consider that.” Cleto’s ardour for music got here from his father, Cleto Escobedo II, a saxophonist who ultimately gave up performing reside to assist his household.

Years later, he joined his son in Cleto and the Cletones, the in-house band for Jimmy’s present. “When Cleto Jr. turned an expert musician, Cleto Senior was thrilled,” Jimmy mentioned. “He received to reside vicariously by means of his son, who began enjoying in bars, and golf equipment, and lounges round Las Vegas.”

Following his buddy’s passing, Jimmy mentioned his entire group was “devastated” and determined to cancel his reveals on Wednesday and Thursday. He additionally launched two fundraisers – one for the UCLA Medical Middle the place Cleto obtained medical care in his remaining days and one other for The Animal Basis in reminiscence of his love of animals.

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