Cleto Escobedo III has sadly passed away.
The 59-year-old leader of Jimmy Kimmel‘s band and lifetime friend died on Tuesday (November 11), the late night host confirmed on social media.
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“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Jimmy wrote.
“To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I 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. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers,” he concluded.
He was the bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones on Jimmy Kimmel Live! since the show launched in 2003, performing alongside his dad, Cleto Escobedo Sr.
Jimmy has described him as a child prodigy, and he toured with acts like Paula Abdul and Earth, Wind & Fire before joining the show.
Our thoughts are with Cleto Escobedo III‘s loved ones at this incredibly difficult time. RIP. We have sadly lost many stars in 2025.
Source: justjared.com
