Cleto Escobedo III, the legendary saxophonist who led Cleto and the Cletones, died on Nov. 11, 2025. He was 59 years old. The 23-year bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live! was Jimmy Kimmel’s childhood best friend and co-creator of the show’s iconic theme music.
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🔥 Quick Facts:
- Born Aug. 23, 1966 in Las Vegas; met Kimmel at age 9
- Led Jimmy Kimmel Live! house band from show’s debut in 2003
- Recorded with Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, and other world-class musicians
- Father Cleto Escobedo Jr. also performed on the show
- Survived by wife Lori and two children
The Friendship That Changed Late-Night Television
Cleto Escobedo III and Jimmy Kimmel met on the street in Las Vegas as kids. They grew up across from each other. “We were inseparable,” Kimmel said in tribute on Tuesday night. Both boys loved David Letterman and shared a love of comedy.
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When Kimmel got his own ABC talk show in 2003, he knew exactly who he wanted. “Of course I wanted great musicians. But I wanted somebody I had chemistry with,” Kimmel told WABC in 2015. “There’s nobody in my life I have better chemistry with than Cleto.”
“The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.”
A Legendary Career Behind the Trumpet and Saxophone
Escobedo became an elite session musician and bandleader before joining Jimmy Kimmel Live! He toured with Phillip Bailey of Earth, Wind & Fire and recorded with Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony, Tom Scott, and Take Six.
“Touring is fun, but it’s more of a young man’s game,” Escobedo reflected in a 2022 interview. “Touring isn’t really conducive for family life. I watched how hard it is leaving your kids for so long.” He appreciated that the Kimmel Live! job let him stay home.
23 Years Side by Side on the Iconic Late-Night Stage
| Category | Details |
| Show Start Date | Sept. 2003 with Cleto and the Cletones |
| Years of Service | Nearly 23 years of consecutive episodes |
| Band Name | Cleto and the Cletones (house band) |
| Key Achievement | Co-created the show’s iconic theme music |
| Family Connection | Father performed alongside him 20 years |
Escobedo’s father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., also became a show regular, performing tenor and alto saxophones. In January 2022, father and son celebrated nearly two decades performing together on camera. They became one of TV’s most beloved musical families.
The Show Must Go On: What Happens Next?
Jimmy Kimmel was visibly emotional during Tuesday’s opening monologue. “We’ve been on the air for almost 23 years and I’ve had to do some hard monologues,” he said. “But this one’s the hardest.” The show announced it would take time off to grieve.
- Wednesday’s show was immediately canceled
- Guests David Duchovny, Joe Keery, and Madison Beer had been scheduled
- Jimmy Kimmel Live! will determine when to return to air
- The band’s future role remains to be announced
- ABC hasn’t provided specific timeline for show’s return
How a Childhood Friendship Became Late-Night Gold?
Escobedo shared memories of their wild Las Vegas childhood. “Cleto had a bicycle with a sidecar. We called it the side hack,” Kimmel recalled in 2016. “He would drive me directly into garbage cans and bushes.” They played pranks with BB guns, mooned people from cars.
These weren’t just childhood memories—they became the foundation for a 23-year professional partnership. Escobedo grew from prankster to bandleader. Kimmel grew from kid on the street to late-night icon. Together, they built something that never felt forced or manufactured.
“We were just kids who had great chemistry,” Escobedo explained simply. That chemistry never faded. It translated to millions of households watching Jimmy Kimmel Live! every weeknight for two decades. What’s the mark of a true friendship? Getting to work together every single day for 23 years and both of you smiling through it the whole time.
Sources
- CBS News – Cleto Escobedo III obituary and Kimmel tribute
- The New York Times – Career retrospective and childhood friendship details
- Billboard – Musical credentials and professional history
Daniel Harris is a specialist journalist focused on the crossroads of breaking news, extraordinary history, and enduring legends. With a background in historical research and storytelling, he blends timely reporting with timeless narratives, making complex events and ancient myths resonate with today’s readers. Daniel’s work often uncovers surprising links between present-day headlines and legendary tales, offering unique perspectives that captivate diverse audiences. Beyond reporting, he is passionate about preserving oral traditions and exploring how extraordinary stories continue to shape culture and identity.