Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader “Cleto” from Jimmy Kimmel Live! , sadly passed away in November 2025 at the age of 59.

What happened to Cleto?

Cleto Escobedo III died after serious health complications that followed a liver transplant and a prolonged illness. His official cause of death was reported as cardiogenic shock, with underlying conditions including cirrhosis of the liver related to alcohol use, as well as sepsis, kidney disease, and pneumonia.

How Jimmy Kimmel responded

Jimmy Kimmel announced Cleto’s death publicly and paid an emotional on-air tribute during his monologue, calling it one of the hardest segments he has ever had to do. He described Cleto as his best friend since childhood and highlighted how special it was that they were able to work together on the show for over two decades.

Impact on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

The show briefly paused tapings around the time of Cleto’s hospitalization and passing, with at least one week of shows canceled or postponed. When the show returned, there were subtle changes to the band setup and format as the production adjusted to life without its original bandleader.

Tributes and fundraisers

Kimmel helped organize fundraisers in Cleto’s honor, including support for the UCLA Medical Center that cared for him, and for an animal charity reflecting Cleto’s love of animals. Public reactions across news outlets and forums emphasized Cleto’s reputation as a kind, generous musician who brought warmth and energy to the show’s live band for more than 20 years.

TL;DR: If you’re searching “what happened to Cleto on Jimmy Kimmel,” he passed away in November 2025 from cardiogenic shock and related complications after a liver transplant, and the show has since honored his memory with heartfelt tributes and charitable initiatives.

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