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 mates and please preserve Cleto’s spouse, youngsters and fogeys in your prayers.”
“Early this morning, we misplaced an important good friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” Kimmel wrote by way of 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 set to work collectively every single 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 Dying?
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 identified one another since they have been youngsters. The late saxophone participant grew up close to the comic in Las Vegas.
Calling Escobedo a “baby 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 mentioned in 2015, per ABC7.
Since Escobedo turned knowledgeable musician and went on to tour with expertise equivalent to Earth, Wind and Fireplace, Paula Abdul and Marc Anthony. This, in flip, helped him land his spot on Kimmel’s late-night speak present in 2003.
“And I simply thought, oh my God, you recognize? I’ve a chat present. Cleto must be my bandleader,” Kimmel beforehand mentioned, per ABC7, whereas remembering how “nervous” he was if Disney instructed him, “We don’t need your good friend to be the bandleader.”
“So, I took the president of ABC to see him play together with his band, and he beloved it,” Kimmel mentioned. “In fact I wished nice musicians, however I wished any person I had chemistry with. And there’s no one in my life I’ve higher chemistry with than him.”