The reason behind the passing of Cleto Escobedo III, a childhood friend of Jimmy Kimmel, has been officially established. Cleto, a 59-year-old musician who fronted the band Cleto and the Cletones, the resident band for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, passed away on November 11. He had been part of the show since its inception in 2003 until his demise in 2025, maintaining a lifelong friendship with Jimmy, who is 58 years old.
Reports indicate that Cleto’s death was attributed to heart failure, specifically cardiogenic shock, which occurs when the heart fails to adequately pump blood to sustain bodily functions. Additional factors contributing to his passing included vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver, sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, and pneumonia, as outlined in his death certificate obtained by TMZ.
Cardiogenic shock, as explained by the Mayo Clinic, is a critical condition where the heart’s inability to pump blood effectively jeopardizes the body’s functioning. Cleto, a seasoned entertainer with 40 years of musical experience, was cremated following his demise. He had been absent from Jimmy Kimmel Live! for an extended period due to his declining health.
In an emotional tribute on Instagram, Jimmy confirmed Cleto’s passing and expressed profound sorrow over the loss of a dear friend and talented musician. He recounted their enduring friendship that began in 1977 when they met in their Las Vegas neighborhood, forming a bond that lasted through the years. Cleto’s musical prowess, inherited from his father, led him to join his son in the band that performed on Jimmy’s show.
Devastated by the loss, Jimmy canceled upcoming shows and initiated fundraising efforts for the medical center where Cleto received care and an animal foundation in memory of Cleto’s love for animals. The comedian described the passing as a profound loss and paid tribute to their enduring friendship that spanned decades, reflecting on the impact Cleto had on his life and career.