Escobedo’s passing was further complicated by several underlying health issues, including vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation, and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver. These details were reported by TMZ, which obtained the death certificate. Escobedo died at UCLA Medical Center following complications from a liver transplant, as reported by Rolling Stone.

The certificate also noted additional health factors such as sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease, and pneumonia, all of which contributed to his untimely death.

In a heartfelt Instagram post, Jimmy Kimmel announced the loss of his long-time friend, describing Escobedo as “a great friend, father, son, musician, and man.” Kimmel’s tribute highlights the personal and professional bond they shared over the years.

Jimmy Kimmel announced Escobedo’s death Tuesday morning in an emotional Instagram post, calling him “a great friend, father, son, musician and man.”

“Cleto and I have been inseparable since I was nine years old,” Kimmel wrote. “The fact that we got to work together every day is a dream neither of us could ever have imagined would come true.”

During Tuesday’s show, Kimmel delivered a tearful eulogy for his friend and thanked doctors and nurses at UCLA Medical Center “for taking incredibly good care of him” and the team at Sherman Oaks Hospital “that initially took him in.”

“There’s no one in my life I felt more comfortable with,” Kimmel said Tuesday. “There were thousands of houses for sale in Vegas. My parents happened to buy one that was right across the street from this kid that I would just fit together with so perfectly.”

Escobedo had led the show’s house band, Cleto and the Cletones, since the program’s debut in 2003. He performed alongside his father, Cleto Escobedo Jr., creating a rare father-son partnership in late-night television.

Before joining Kimmel’s show, Escobedo toured as a saxophonist with Paula Abdul and recorded studio albums. He also worked with Marc Anthony, Earth, Wind & Fire’s Philip Bailey and other prominent artists.

The Las Vegas native met Kimmel when Kimmel’s family moved across the street from his in 1977. Their friendship spanned nearly five decades.

Kimmel took the rest of this week off from his ABC talk show. He announced plans to establish a fund for the medical team that cared for Escobedo and for The Animal Foundation in Las Vegas in honor of his late friend’s love of animals.

Escobedo is survived by his wife, Lori, and their two children, Cruz and Jesse.