The death of Cleto Escobedo III, a childhood friend of Jimmy Kimmel, has been confirmed. The 59-year-old musician, known for leading Cleto and the Cletones, the house band for Jimmy Kimmel Live!, passed away on November 11. Cleto had been part of the show since its beginning in 2003 and shared a lifelong friendship with Jimmy, who is 58 years old.
Reports indicate that Cleto’s death was due to his heart’s inability to pump enough blood to sustain his life. The death certificate, obtained by TMZ, identified cardiogenic shock as the immediate cause of death, with underlying factors including vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver.
Cardiogenic shock is a critical condition where the heart fails to supply sufficient blood to meet the body’s requirements, as explained by the Mayo Clinic. The document also mentioned other contributing factors to Cleto’s passing, such as sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, and pneumonia.
Cleto was cremated, with the certificate noting his extensive 40-year career as an entertainer. His absence from Jimmy Kimmel Live! in recent months was due to his declining health. Jimmy paid tribute to Cleto on Instagram, expressing deep sorrow over the loss and highlighting their long-standing friendship and shared musical journey.
The comedian emotionally addressed Cleto’s passing on his show, describing it as one of the most challenging moments of his career. Jimmy recalled their friendship that began in 1977 when their families moved to Las Vegas, forming a bond that lasted through the years. Cleto’s musical talent and passion, inherited from his saxophonist father, led him to join Cleto and the Cletones, enriching the show with his performances.
Following Cleto’s death, Jimmy and his team mourned the loss and canceled upcoming shows in his honor. Fundraisers were launched to support the medical center where Cleto received care and to honor his love for animals at The Animal Foundation.
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