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Jimmy Kimmel Band Leader Cleto Escobedo's Cause of Death Revealed
Cleto Escobedo III’s loved ones are celebrating his life.
Days after Jimmy Kimmel shared his longtime best friend and Jimmy Kimmel Live! bandleader had died on Nov. 11 at 59, the comedian’s sister Jill Kimmel paid tribute to Cleto, detailing the bond they’d shared since they were kids.
“I keep forgetting that you’ve moved on from here…but I’ll never forget how much I loved you,” Jill wrote in an Nov. 16 Instagram post, alongside pictures of Cleto set to Michael McDonald’s ‘I Keep Forgettin' (Every Time You're Near)’. “It’s been a beautiful life with you in it, Cleto. Rest well, my brother.”
Musician Shelia E. also honored Cleto on social media, sharing glimpses of Jimmy speaking onstage at his memorial service and Michael performing while pictures of the late musician flashed on a screen.
“Family and friends gathered together for the best celebration of life I have ever attended.,” the “Glamourous Life” singer wrote on Instagram Nov. 16. “It’s a true testament to who Cleto was and of Cleo’s love for his family and friends. We will continue to pray for the family. We love u Cleto and we already miss u.”
Photo by Ethan Miller/Getty Images
On Nov. 11, days after his show abruptly canceled a taping, Jimmy shared on social media that Cleto had died. His cause of death was later confirmed to be cardiogenic shock, a condition where the heart is unable to pump enough blood through the body, according to a death certificate obtained by TMZ Nov. 14.
Hours after confirming Cleto’s death, Jimmy expanded on his decadeslong friendship with the musician—with whom he grew up in Las Vegas— in an emotional monologue.
"Everyone here at the show we are devastated by this," Jimmy said through tears during the Nov. 11 broadcast. "It’s just not fair. He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person."
"I want to thank Cleto's parents Cleto and Sylvia for making him and for sharing him with me and with all of us and for treating me like their own son always," he continued. "Cherish your friends. We're not here forever. Thank you for indulging me. We're going to take the next couple of nights off, but I wanted to be here tonight to tell you about my friend."
And as Jimmy Kimmel Live! took a few days off to mourn Cleto, the host shared insight into how they are ensuring Cleto will be remembered through a donation to The Animal Foundation in his and Cleto's hometown of Las Vegas in order to "honor his love of animals."
For more celebrity reactions to Cleto’s death, keep reading…
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Jimmy Kimmel
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Jimmy Kimmel shared to Instagram Nov. 11. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”
The talk show host added that he and Cleto “have been inseparable since I was nine years old.”
“The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true,” Jimmy continued. “Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”
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Shelia E.
“With a heavy heart we have lost a dear friend Cleto Escobedo,” the "Glamorous Life" artist posted to Instagram Nov. 11. “I met Cleto in 1994 and in 1995 I produced a song on his album. We always joked about being related and we did try to find out.”
She wrote that he had “been a true brother and an amazing musician and artist.”
“I’m so heartbroken there are no words,” she added. “My prayers go out to his wife and kids, Jimmy Kimmel, family and friends. You will be missed. I love u rest well.”
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Paula Abdul
The “Straight Up” singer shared a sweet tribute Instagram Nov. 11 saying, “My heart is heavy today as we say goodbye to the incredible Cleto Escobedo III.”
Noting she first met Cleto when he was playing the saxophone at a small bar at Las Vegas’ Caesars Palace, Paula recalled, “I was putting together my band for my first world tour and the moment I heard him, I knew I had to hire him, even though he didn’t have any touring experience yet.”
She gushed that Cleto’s “talent and energy were undeniable” and that she was thrilled to see him “have an amazing career, reuniting with his best friend Jimmy Kimmel as the bandleader on Jimmy Kimmel Live!”
“Cleto was pure light and soul, both on and off stage,” she wrote. “Sending so much love to his family and everyone who loved him.”
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Adam Scott
“RIP the great Cleto Escobedo III,” the Severance actor posted to Instagram Nov. 11. “Such a kind, talented guy who will be sorely missed. Lots of love to Cleto’s family and everyone at @jimmykimmellive.”
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Eric Stonestreet
“So sorry to hear this Jimmy,” the Modern Family alum commented on Jimmy’s post. “He was AWESOME. Love to his family.”
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Johnny Knoxville
The Reboot alum shared three red hearts on Jimmy’s tribute, writing, “Love to u, cleto and his whole family.”
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Wanda Skyes
“Heartbreaking,” the comedian posted. “So, very sorry.”
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Jeffrey Ross
The comedian commented, “Love you Love to his incredible family.”
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Julia Louis-Dreyfus
The Seinfeld star shared her condolences on Jimmy’s remembrance, writing, “Oh no. I’m so so sorry.”
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Ike Barinholtz
“So sorry man,” the Studio star added on Jimmy’s post. “Love you Cleto.”
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