Cleto Escobedo III, known as the bandleader of Cleto and the Cletones on Jimmy Kimmel Live!, died on November 11, 2025 at age 59. Reports indicate that the exact cause of death had not been released publicly at the time of the announcements, though some outlets mentioned liver transplant complications or related medical issues as possibilities being discussed by fans and outlets. Additional official statements from the show or family would provide the definitive cause. Notes on context:

• He had been closely associated with Jimmy Kimmel since childhood and with the show for many years as the in-house bandleader.
• Multiple outlets reported the death occurred in the early morning hours of November 11, 2025, with Jimmy Kimmel publicly sharing the news and offering prayers for his family.
• As of the initial reports, no formal cause of death had been confirmed by family or representatives, and some articles referenced medical complexities without a definitive statement.

If you’d like, I can look up the latest official statements or provide a timeline of the reporting and tributes from major outlets.