Jimmy Kimmel Live! Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III's Cause of Death Revealed
The reason behind the passing of Cleto Escobedo III, the bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, has been disclosed following his death at 59 years old.
The official death certificate of the musician, acquired by TMZ on Friday, November 14, states that Escobedo succumbed to “cardiogenic shock as the direct cause, with vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver identified as contributing factors.”
The publication further noted that sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, and pneumonia also played a role in Escobedo's demise.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! cancelled its new broadcast on Thursday, November 6, several days before Kimmel publicly announced Escobedo’s passing.
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“This morning, we mourn the loss of a wonderful friend, father, son, musician, and human being, my long-serving bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” 57-year-old Kimmel posted on Instagram on Tuesday, November 11. “Our profound sorrow is difficult to articulate.”
The late-night personality mentioned that he and Escobedo III “had an unbreakable bond” dating back to when he was nine years old.
“Our daily collaboration was a dream come true that neither of us ever thought possible,” Kimmel ended his message. “Value your friendships and remember Cleto’s wife, children, and parents in your thoughts.”
On Tuesday evening's installment of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Kimmel became visibly emotional during his monologue while honoring Escobedo.
Kimmel remarked that he has “delivered some challenging monologues” throughout his twenty-year career, but stated, “this particular one is the most difficult, as late last night or early this morning, we said goodbye to a truly remarkable individual who departed far too soon.”
Conveying that the entire show staff was “heartbroken” by the bereavement, Kimmel also acknowledged Escobedo’s wife, Lori, and their two kids,
“This feels profoundly unjust,” he expressed. “He was the most amiable, modest, compassionate, and consistently humorous individual.”
Kimmel further advised, “Hold your friends dear. Our time here is limited.”
At 63, Paula Abdul was one of several public figures who also paid homage to Escobedo.
“My emotions are raw today as we bid farewell to the extraordinary Cleto Escobedo III,” Abdul wrote alongside an Instagram video on Tuesday, November 11. “I initially encountered Cleto performing saxophone in a modest establishment at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas.”
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Within her heartfelt remembrance, Abdul recounted anecdotes from her experiences with Escobedo.
“While assembling my band for my inaugural global tour, the instant I heard him play, I was convinced I needed to recruit him, despite his lack of prior touring background,” she explained. “His aptitude and charisma were apparent, leading him to an impressive career, culminating in his reunion with close friend Jimmy Kimmel as the bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
The vocalist finished by saying, “Cleto embodied pure radiance and spirit, whether performing or not. My deepest sympathies go out to his family and all those who held him dear.”
Cleto and the Cletones, Escobedo’s musical group, has been an integral component of Jimmy Kimmel Live! since the program's inception in 2003.
Prior to his engagement with Kimmel, Escobedo held a personal recording contract. He established Cleto and the Cletones in 1995, collaborating with guitarist Toshi Yangagi, bassist Jimmy Earl, keyboardist Jeff Babko, and percussionist Jonathan Dresel. Subsequently, his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., became a member of the ensemble, having previously performed saxophone in a rock and soul band during the 1960s.
