Cleto Escobedo III (1966–2025) was a talented saxophonist and bandleader best known for leading Cleto and the Cletones on Jimmy Kimmel Live! since 2003. Born in Las Vegas, he grew up playing music under his father’s guidance and formed a lifelong friendship with Jimmy Kimmel at age nine. A skilled musician in jazz, funk, and rock, Escobedo toured with Paula Abdul and Marc Anthony before joining Kimmel’s show. He co-wrote the theme song and became a beloved late-night staple. Married to Lori with two sons, Cruz and Jesse, he lived in Los Angeles. After battling illness following a liver transplant, he passed away on November 11, 2025, at 59. Kimmel honored him with a heartfelt tribute, and the show paused in his memory. Escobedo is remembered for his warmth, talent, and loyalty.
Long Version
Cleto Valentine Escobedo III (August 23, 1966 – November 11, 2025) was an American musician, bandleader, and saxophonist renowned for his role as the leader of the house band Cleto and the Cletones on the ABC talk show Jimmy Kimmel Live! since its inception in 2003. A versatile performer proficient on alto, tenor, and soprano saxophone, Escobedo’s career blended elements of jazz, funk, and rock, marked by collaborations with prominent artists and a lifelong friendship with host Jimmy Kimmel that began in their Las Vegas childhood. His contributions to late-night television and the music scene made him a beloved figure, and his passing at age 59 prompted widespread tributes from fans, colleagues, and family alike.
Early Life and Education
Born in Las Vegas, Nevada, Escobedo grew up immersed in a musical environment shaped by his family. His father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., was a talented musician who had performed as a valet and entertainer for icons like Sammy Davis Jr. and Tom Jones but stepped back from his career to focus on raising his son. Escobedo’s mother, Sylvia Escobedo, encouraged his early interest in music, leading him to learn the saxophone under his father’s guidance. From a young age, Escobedo displayed traits of a musical prodigy, honing his skills on the instrument that would define his professional path.
Escobedo’s formative years were also defined by a deep friendship that began when he was around nine years old. In 1977, Jimmy Kimmel’s family moved across the street from the Escobedos, and the two boys quickly became inseparable, attending Guinn Junior High School together. They shared late-night viewings of Late Night with David Letterman, fostering a mutual admiration for talk shows and entertainment that would later intersect in their careers. This childhood bond, emphasizing lifelong connections forged in Las Vegas, remained a cornerstone of Escobedo’s personal and professional life.
After high school, Escobedo pursued higher education at the University of Nevada, Las Vegas, where he majored in political science. During this time, he gigged extensively on the Las Vegas Strip, performing with local jazz bands and building his reputation as a saxophonist. He eventually took a semester off to dedicate himself fully to music, marking the transition from student to full-time musician.
Career
Escobedo’s career launched in earnest in the mid-1980s, with early performances across Las Vegas showcasing his versatility in jazz, funk, and rock genres. By 1990, he had joined Paula Abdul’s touring band to support her album Forever Your Girl, contributing saxophone to her high-energy pop performances. This collaboration opened doors to further opportunities, including tours and recordings with Marc Anthony, where Escobedo’s dynamic playing added depth to Anthony’s Latin-infused music.
In the late 1990s, Escobedo reconnected professionally with his childhood friend Jimmy Kimmel on Comedy Central’s The Man Show, providing musical support that hinted at their future synergy. The pivotal moment came in 2003 when Kimmel launched Jimmy Kimmel Live!. At the time, Escobedo was touring with Marc Anthony and contemplating leaving the music industry, but Kimmel’s offer to lead the house band proved to be his dream gig. He assembled Cleto and the Cletones, a group that included his father on occasion, and co-wrote the show’s theme song with Jonathan Kimmel and Les Pierce.
Over the next two decades, Escobedo’s role as bandleader elevated the show’s musical segments, blending live performances with guest appearances. Notable collaborations included work with Earth, Wind & Fire’s Phillip Bailey, adding funk elements to special episodes. He also interacted with other late-night figures like Jimmy Vivino from Late Night with Conan O’Brien and Paul Shaffer from Late Night with David Letterman, advocating collectively for fair compensation in the digital era, such as payments for online video clips.
Jimmy Kimmel Live! and Legacy in Late-Night Television
As the bandleader for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Escobedo became a fixture in late-night entertainment, leading Cleto and the Cletones through thousands of episodes. The band’s energetic style complemented Kimmel’s humor, often punctuating monologues and sketches with saxophone riffs. Escobedo’s presence extended beyond music; his friendship with Kimmel infused the show with genuine warmth, evident in on-air interactions and behind-the-scenes anecdotes.
The collaboration highlighted themes of loyalty and perseverance, with Escobedo describing the position in a 2022 interview as a perfect blend of his passions. His contributions helped define the show’s identity, making Cleto and the Cletones synonymous with accessible, genre-spanning music on television. Escobedo’s influence extended to mentoring younger musicians and promoting the importance of live bands in talk shows, leaving a lasting impact on the format.
Personal Life
Escobedo resided in Studio City, Los Angeles, with his wife, Lori Escobedo, and their two sons, Cruz and Jesse. Family remained central to his life, with his parents’ influence evident in his career choices. Cleto Escobedo Jr. occasionally joined the band on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, creating multigenerational moments that underscored Escobedo’s roots. Despite his public role, he maintained a private demeanor, focusing on fatherhood and personal bonds amid his demanding schedule. He was known for his kindness, humility, and dedication to those close to him, often prioritizing family time over additional professional commitments.
Illness, Death, and Tributes
In the months leading to his death, Escobedo battled an illness that led to complications stemming from a liver transplant, though the exact cause of death has not been officially confirmed. This health struggle prompted an abrupt cancellation of Jimmy Kimmel Live! episodes, allowing time for reflection and mourning.
Escobedo passed away on November 11, 2025, at the age of 59. Jimmy Kimmel announced the news, describing Escobedo as a great friend, father, son, musician, and man, noting that heartbreak was an understatement. In a heartfelt monologue tribute aired later, Kimmel shared stories of their inseparable friendship since childhood, emphasizing Escobedo’s kindness, talent, and the profound impact he had on everyone around him. The show paused broadcasts for the remainder of the week in his memory, with scheduled guests rescheduled to honor the loss.
Tributes poured in from across the entertainment industry and fans, highlighting his legacy as a collaborator, family man, and musical talent. Colleagues remembered him for his joyful spirit, professional dedication, and the warmth he brought to late-night television. Publications and peers alike celebrated his life, focusing on his achievements and the deep personal connections he fostered, solidifying his place as an influential figure in music and entertainment.
