News | Entertainment
23 Nov 2025 16:45
NZCity News
NZCity CalculatorReturn to NZCity

  • Start Page
  • Personalise
  • Sport
  • Weather
  • Finance
  • Shopping
  • Jobs
  • Horoscopes
  • Lotto Results
  • Photo Gallery
  • Site Gallery
  • TVNow
  • Dating
  • SearchNZ
  • NZSearch
  • Crime.co.nz
  • RugbyLeague
  • Make Home
  • About NZCity
  • Contact NZCity
  • Your Privacy
  • Advertising
  • Login
  • Join for Free

  •   Home > News > Entertainment

    Cleto Escobedo III died from cardiogenic shock

    The Jimmy Kimmel Live! band leader died on Tuesday (11.11.25) at the age of 59 and his death certificate has revealed the immediate cause of death was the rare condition, which happens when the heart can no longer pump enough blood for the body.


    In addition, according to a copy of his death certificate obtained by TMZ, vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver were listed as underlying causes.

    Sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppressed, chronic kidney disease and pneumonia, also contributed to Cleto's death.

    Meanwhile, Cleto's lifelong friend Jimmy Kimmel has announced two fundraising initiatives in honour of his late friend.

    He wrote on Instagram: "Cleto was always kind and eager to help others. As we mourn his loss, we have started two fundraisers to celebrate his life and give back.

    "The first is for UCLA Medical Center where he received such incredible care. Together we can help vulnerable patients and families in need of financial assistance during hard times. @UCLAHealth

    "And to honor his love of animals, the @TheAnimalFoundation in our hometown of Las Vegas.

    "Links to give are in my bio. Thank you so much. (sic)"

    Jimmy broke down in tears as he paid tribute to the Cleto and the Cletones leader on his show earlier this week.

    He opened the show by saying: "We've been on the air for almost 23 years and I've had to do some hard monologues along the way, but this one's the hardest because late last night, early this morning, we lost someone very special who was much too young."

    Jimmy then recalled his lifelong friendship with Cleto when they grew up in the same street in Las Vegas.

    He added: "Everyone loves Cleto... everyone here at the show.

    "We are devastated by this. It's not... It's just not fair.

    "He was the nicest, most humble, kind and always funny person.

    "There is no one in my life I felt more comfortable with."

    Cleto's dad, Cleto Escobedo Sr., who plays the tenor and alto saxophone in the Cletones, performed with the band on Tuesday night's episode, and Cleto's mother was in the studio audience.

    Jimmy also paid tribute to Cleto on Instagram, remembering his pal as "a great friend, father, son, musician and man".

    He wrote: "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. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old. The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto's wife, children and parents in your prayers."

    © 2025 Bang Showbiz, NZCity

     Other Entertainment News
     23 Nov: Tori Kelly has given birth to her first child
     23 Nov: Jeremy Renner's lawyer has insisted he and Yi Zhou have not resolved their conflict
     23 Nov: Kim Kardashian broke down in tears with the pressure of studying for her legal exams
     23 Nov: Lottie Tomlinson says having children has "healed" part of her, after she lost her mother and sister
     23 Nov: Princess Beatrice says the experience of a premature birth can "incredibly lonely"
     23 Nov: Denise Richards is thankful for her "great support system" amid her divorce from Aaron Phypers
     23 Nov: Kelsey Grammer's ex-wife is "living [her] best life" thanks to her divorce settlement
     Top Stories

    RUGBY RUGBY
    All Blacks lock Fabian Holland believes his team can only grow after his first year as a test player More...


    BUSINESS BUSINESS
    The National Party wants New Zealander's retirement savings, to catch up to our Trans-Tasman cousins More...



     Today's News

    Politics:
    A KiwiSaver provider is welcoming the National Party's first election promise: to lift contributions 16:27

    Rugby:
    All Blacks lock Fabian Holland believes his team can only grow after his first year as a test player 16:27

    Cricket:
    England cricket captain Ben Stokes won't let the opening test loss to Australia in Perth derail their Ashes campaign 16:17

    Cricket:
    The Black Caps are relishing a shift to test cricket against the West Indies next month after sweeping the one-day series against the tourists 16:17

    Rugby:
    All Blacks coach Scott Robertson plans to mull over how to replace assistant Jason Holland 15:27

    Motoring:
    F1 live Las Vegas: Oscar Piastri starts fifth, Lando Norris and Max Verstappen on front row 15:07

    Basketball:
    American import Izaiah Brockington doesn't think the Breakers are as bad as this season's Australian NBL record suggests 14:57

    Motoring:
    McLaren driver Oscar Piastri is facing an uphill battle to claim a maiden Formula One world championship, after qualifying fifth for the Las Vegas Grand Prix while main rival and teammate Lando Norris took pole 14:27

    Politics:
    The Labour Party has selected economist and trade unionist Craig Renney, as its candidate for Wellington Bays, in next years election 14:07

    Rugby:
    Mixed emotions from All Blacks assistant coach Jason Holland following his final game with the national side 13:47


     News Search






    Power Search


    © 2025 New Zealand City Ltd