Cleto Escobedo III, the saxophonist-bandleader whose presence anchored the house band of Jimmy Kimmel Live! for more than two decades, died on November 11, 2025, at age 59. Born August 23, 1966, Escobedo grew up in Las Vegas—across the street from a young Jimmy Kimmel—and the two became inseparable as children, bonding over late-night television, shared humor, and lifelong ambition.
Before his late-night television role, Escobedo forged a rich career in music: as a prodigious saxophonist he toured and recorded with major acts, bringing a fluency in alto, tenor and soprano sax that would later inform his bandleader role. When Kimmel launched his ABC talk show in 2003, he insisted Escobedo lead the show’s band—not just for his talent, but for a creative chemistry born of decades of friendship. On-air and behind the scenes, Escobedo embodied both musical discipline and playful spirit, his riffs and flourishes a companion to Kimmel’s monologues and celebrity guests alike.
Through the years, the partnership transcended mere professional convenience. Their shared history—from youthful pranks in Vegas to television stardom—became part of the show’s fabric. Kimmel often credited Escobedo not just as a bandleader, but as one of his oldest friends and confidants. The presence of Escobedo’s father in the band added to the sense of family, and viewers came to expect the sax solos, stage presence and subtle jokes that Escobedo brought nightly.
Escobedo was more than a musician who kept rhythm; he was a bridge between childhood aspiration and enduring success, the friend who stayed true while chaperoning the music of a late-night staple. He was also a husband and father—survived by his wife, Lori, and their children—and he frequently expressed how the talk-show platform allowed him to maintain a family life that earlier touring stints had made difficult.
His death leaves a void on the stage and in the heart of his friend and collaborator. Kimmel announced the news on social media, describing Escobedo as “a great friend, father, son, musician and man,” noting that “to say that we are heartbroken is an understatement.” The cause of death has not been publicly disclosed.
In celebrating Escobedo’s life, one recalls the sound of his sax punctuating the laughter of audiences, the ease of his presence behind the scenes, and the extraordinary journey from childhood across-the-street friendships to the bright lights of television. Cleto Escobedo III leaves a legacy of music, loyalty and friendship that will resonate far beyond the studio stage.
