Cause of death for ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live!’ bandleader Cleto Escobedo revealed

NEW YORK — A cause of death has been confirmed for Cleto Escobedo III, the bandleader on “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” and a lifelong friend of the late-night host.

According to a death certificate obtained by TMZ, Escobedo died on Tuesday of cardiogenic shock, a rare condition in which the heart is no longer able to pump enough blood to supply the body, depriving vital organs of oxygen. It can be caused by a “large or severe heart attack,” but not everyone who has a heart attack gets cardiogenic shock, per the Mayo Clinic.

Vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation — a blood clotting disorder that can cause organ damage and uncontrollable bleeding — and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver were also listed as underlying causes. Other conditions contributing to Escobedo’s death included sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease and pneumonia, according to the document.

Escobedo, leader of Cleto and the Cletones, was 59 years old.

Escobedo and Kimmel first met after the Brooklyn-born host moved to Las Vegas at the age of 9. Escobedo lived down the street, and the duo became fast friends.

Kimmel announced his death earlier this week in an emotional Instagram post.

“Early this morning, we lost a great friend, father, son, musician and man,” Kimmel wrote on Tuesday. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement. Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was 9 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.”

Kimmel also paid homage to Escobedo during a tearful monologue on his late-night show, calling it the “hardest” one he’s ever had to deliver. He also canceled the following shows on both Wednesday and Thursday night.

Escobedo grew up in a musical family — his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., is also in his band — and he began performing at a young age. He went on to have his own successful career leading the Cletones, touring with Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony and others, before Kimmel came calling.

Escobedo led Kimmel’s band since 2003, when the ABC host landed the late-night gig. Kimmel personally vouched for his friend to get the job when negotiating with executives.

In addition to his father, Escobedo is survived by his wife, Lori, and their two children.

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