Cause of Death for 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!' Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III Confirmed

Cleto Escobedo III, the longtime bandleader for 'Jimmy Kimmel Live!', passed away at the age of 59. His death certificate lists cardiogenic shock as the immediate cause, with underlying conditions including vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. Additional contributing factors were sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, and pneumonia.

Escobedo and host Jimmy Kimmel shared a lifelong friendship, having met as children in Las Vegas. Their bond led to a professional collaboration when Kimmel invited Escobedo to lead the house band, Cleto and the Cletones, upon the show's debut in 2003.

In a heartfelt tribute, Kimmel expressed his grief, stating,

"Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man, my longtime bandleader Cleto Escobedo III. To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement."

Escobedo is survived by his wife, Lori, and their two children.