Cause of Death for Jimmy Kimmel’s Band Leader Cleto Escobedo Revealed.
Quote from Oladosun Joshua Segun on November 15, 2025, 9:57 AM
There has been more information revealed about the death of Jimmy Kimmel's bandleader. As per a death certificate obtained by TMZ Nov. 14, Cleto Escobedo III's immediate cause of death, less than a week after his death at age 59, was identified as cardiogenic shock, a disease in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood through the body.
According to the outlet, the document also listed disseminated intravascular coagulation, or blood clotting that prevents blood flow to organs, and vasodilatory shock, or blood vessel dilatation, as underlying causes.
Furthermore, the certificate listed other health disorders besides blood-related ones. According to TMZ, sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, pneumonia, and alcoholic cirrhosis—a kind of advanced liver damage brought on by heavy, prolonged alcohol consumption—were also identified as contributing factors to his death.
Jimmy first revealed Cleto's untimely death on November 11 when he posted a sorrowful homage to the guitarist, who has led the Jimmy Kimmel Live! band since the program's inception in 2003.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” at that moment, Jimmy posted on Instagram. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”
Soon after, the television personality shed tears as he recalled his lifetime connection with the musician, whom he first met in their city of Las Vegas when he was 9 years old.
https://youtu.be/0xlVAr6JZ9A?si=xYQLBZaENrBfNGzX
"We had so many adventures. We would laugh so hard," Jimmy, 57, stated on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 11. "We had our own language that almost no one else understood. We didn't even have to say anything. We would sit here in rehearsal every day. We didn't have to look at each other."
The comedian has since revealed his plans to continue Cleto's legacy, stating that he is establishing a foundation for The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas in remembrance of his late friend's "love of animals" and the medical team that provided the instrumentalist with "incredible care" during his health battle.
On November 14, Jimmy posted on Instagram. "Cleto was always kind and eager to help others."

There has been more information revealed about the death of Jimmy Kimmel's bandleader. As per a death certificate obtained by TMZ Nov. 14, Cleto Escobedo III's immediate cause of death, less than a week after his death at age 59, was identified as cardiogenic shock, a disease in which the heart is unable to pump enough blood through the body.
According to the outlet, the document also listed disseminated intravascular coagulation, or blood clotting that prevents blood flow to organs, and vasodilatory shock, or blood vessel dilatation, as underlying causes.
Furthermore, the certificate listed other health disorders besides blood-related ones. According to TMZ, sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, pneumonia, and alcoholic cirrhosis—a kind of advanced liver damage brought on by heavy, prolonged alcohol consumption—were also identified as contributing factors to his death.
Register for Tekedia Mini-MBA edition 19 (Feb 9 – May 2, 2026): big discounts for early bird.
Tekedia AI in Business Masterclass opens registrations.
Join Tekedia Capital Syndicate and co-invest in great global startups.
Register for Tekedia AI Lab: From Technical Design to Deployment (next edition begins Jan 24 2026).
Jimmy first revealed Cleto's untimely death on November 11 when he posted a sorrowful homage to the guitarist, who has led the Jimmy Kimmel Live! band since the program's inception in 2003.
“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III,” at that moment, Jimmy posted on Instagram. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.”

Soon after, the television personality shed tears as he recalled his lifetime connection with the musician, whom he first met in their city of Las Vegas when he was 9 years old.
"We had so many adventures. We would laugh so hard," Jimmy, 57, stated on Jimmy Kimmel Live! on November 11. "We had our own language that almost no one else understood. We didn't even have to say anything. We would sit here in rehearsal every day. We didn't have to look at each other."

The comedian has since revealed his plans to continue Cleto's legacy, stating that he is establishing a foundation for The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas in remembrance of his late friend's "love of animals" and the medical team that provided the instrumentalist with "incredible care" during his health battle.
On November 14, Jimmy posted on Instagram. "Cleto was always kind and eager to help others."
Uploaded files:Share this:
- Click to share on Facebook (Opens in new window) Facebook
- Click to share on X (Opens in new window) X
- Click to share on WhatsApp (Opens in new window) WhatsApp
- Click to share on LinkedIn (Opens in new window) LinkedIn
- Click to email a link to a friend (Opens in new window) Email
- Click to print (Opens in new window) Print



