Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader and saxophonist on Jimmy Kimmel Live! , sadly passed away in November 2025 at age 59, after what has been described publicly as an illness, with no specific cause disclosed.

What happened to Cleto Escobedo?

  • Cleto Escobedo III, who led the house band Cleto and the Cletones on Jimmy Kimmel Live! , died in early November 2025.
  • News reports and tributes describe his passing as the result of an undisclosed illness, meaning the exact medical details have not been shared with the public.

Jimmy Kimmel’s on-air tribute

  • Jimmy Kimmel devoted an emotional monologue to remembering Cleto as his childhood best friend and colleague of more than two decades on the show.
  • He spoke about their long friendship, Cleto’s family, and how much joy Cleto brought to the audience, and then announced the show would take a short break so the team could grieve.

Role on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

  • Cleto served as bandleader and saxophonist from the show’s early days, leading Cleto and the Cletones and appearing regularly on camera.
  • He was known for his easygoing on-air presence, musical versatility, and for being part of the core “family” of the show alongside Jimmy and other recurring staffers and relatives.

How fans and media reacted

  • Entertainment outlets highlighted how rare it is for a late-night host to lose both a bandleader and a lifelong friend in one person, emphasizing the depth of their bond.
  • Online discussions on TV and pop culture forums were largely sympathetic, with many viewers sharing memories of Cleto’s years on the show and offering condolences to his family and the Jimmy Kimmel Live! team.

TL;DR: Cleto Escobedo III from Jimmy Kimmel Live! died in November 2025 at 59 after an illness that has not been publicly detailed, and Jimmy Kimmel honored him with a heartfelt tribute and a short hiatus from the show.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.