Who Is Cleto Escobedo III's Wife? Know All About The Family Of 'Jimmy Kimmel Live's Bandleader

Cleto Escobedo III, the renowned musician and longtime bandleader of Jimmy Kimmel Live! passed away on November 11, 2025, at the age of 59. His death was confirmed by the show's host, Jimmy Kimmel, who shared the heartbreaking tribute for his childhood friend on social media. Cleto had been the music star of the late-night show since its debut in 2003. Cleto's death marked the end of their decades-long friendship and collaboration that began long before they found fame in the entertainment industry. 

Who is Cleto Escobedo III's wife, Lori Escobedo?

Cleto Escobedo is now survived by his wife, Lori Escobedo, with whom he shared a loving relationship. The couple preferred to keep their private life out of the spotlight, though they were occasionally spotted together in social media posts. The details about when the two met or married are not available in the public domain. However, Lori's private Instagram account links to creative pages, The Art Birds and The Smith Family Circus, hinting towards her artistic streak. When Daily Mail contacted Lori she did not revealed much information, but simply said:

"Everything is not ok."

Together, Cleto and Lori have two children, a daughter named, Jesse and a son named Cruz. He often shared heartfelt posts about his children, especially his daughter. On her 10th birthday in 2019, he shared a picture of her with the caption, "I love a lot of people on this earth, but this little girl changed my life when she came into this world. I never REALLY knew what love was till you looked at me. You ARE my world, Jesse." Cleto's Instagram page offers an inside look into his simple personal life and his pride as a father, as he shares glimpses from their fishing trips and family moments. 

Jimmy Kimmel and Cleto Escobedo III

Cleto Escobedo's passion for music stemmed from his genes, as his father, Cleto Escobedo ,Jr., was a saxophonist who performed with him on Jimmy Kimmel Live! Band. Cleto, in an old interview with Mint, recalled how Jimmy used to motivate him to bring his dad on the show. Recalling how the touching encouragement brought his dad on show, Cleto once said:

"Jimmy asked me, 'Who are we going to get in the band?' and then said, 'Hey man, what about your dad? Wouldn't that be kind of cool?' I was like, 'That would be way cool.'" 

How Did Cleto Escobedo III die?

Jimmy Kimmel shared the heartbreaking news of Cleto's death in an emotional post and addressed him as a 'great friend, father, son, musician, and man.' Although the cause behind Cleto's death is not confirmed, Page Six reported that he was dealing with health complications after a liver transplant. Furthermore, the outlet reported that Jimmy had even cancelled an episode of his show on November 6, 2025, due to a personal reason, which fans have now linked to Cleto's demise.

More about Cleto Escobedo III and Jimmy Kimmel's friendship

Cleto Escobedo III and Jimmy Kimmel's friend were deeply rooted in their childhood. They grew up together in Las Vegas and remained together for over five decades until his passing. Jimmy, in his tribute to Cleto, got emotional and recalled that he had known the late musician since the age of 9. It was like a dream come true for them when they got the opportunity to work together. In his words:

"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."

We send our heartfelt condolences to Cleto Escobedo III's family in this difficult time.

Next Read: Cleto Escobedo III Dies At 59: Jimmy Kimmel's Childhood Friend-Co-Worker's Huge Net Worth Revealed

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