Cleto Escobedo, the beloved Jimmy Kimmel Stay! bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones, died on November 11, 2025. He was 59. Jimmy Kimmel was the one to interrupt the information in a heartbreaking assertion, encouraging others to “cherish your folks and please hold Cleto’s spouse, kids and fogeys in your prayers.”
“Early this morning, we misplaced an incredible good friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel wrote through Instagram alongside an image of Escobedo on stage. “To say that we’re heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I’ve been inseparable since I used to be 9 years previous. The truth that we started working collectively day-after-day is a dream neither of us may ever have imagined would come true.”
Under, find out about Cleto and what occurred to the beloved bandleader from Kimmel’s present.
What Occurred to Cleto Escobedo?
Kimmel didn’t elaborate on what occurred to his good friend and bandleader, Escobedo.
How Did Cleto Escobedo Die?
It’s nonetheless unclear how Escobedo died on the time of publication. Kimmel solely famous in his announcement that Escobedo died on the morning of November 11, 2025.
What Did the Cletones Say About Cleto’s Loss of life?
The band, which additionally consists of Escobedo’s father, Cleto Escobedo Sr., Jeff Babko, Toshi Yanagi, Jimmy Earl and Jonathan Dresel, has not publicly addressed their lead musician’s demise on the time of publication.
How Lengthy Did Jimmy Kimmel & His Bandleader Cleto Know Every Different?
As beforehand famous, Kimmel and Escobedo have recognized one another since they had been youngsters. The late saxophone participant grew up close to the comic in Las Vegas.
Calling Escobedo a “little one prodigy,” Kimmel recalled his good friend’s immense expertise again in 2015. “Like, the entire college would collect to look at. He’d get standing ovations. It was a loopy factor,” Kimmel stated in 2015, per ABC7.
Since Escobedo turned knowledgeable musician and went on to tour with expertise akin to Earth, Wind and Hearth, Paula Abdul and Marc Anthony. This, in flip, helped him land his spot on Kimmel’s late-night discuss present in 2003.
“And I simply thought, oh my God, you recognize? I’ve a chat present. Cleto needs to be my bandleader,” Kimmel beforehand stated, per ABC7, whereas remembering how “nervous” he was if Disney advised him, “We don’t need your good friend to be the bandleader.”
“So, I took the president of ABC to see him play along with his band, and he liked it,” Kimmel stated. “In fact I wished nice musicians, however I wished someone I had chemistry with. And there’s no person in my life I’ve higher chemistry with than him.”
