Hollywood legend Cleto Escobedo III’s tragically rare cause of death has been revealed.

Cleto Escobedo III died this week at the age of 59 (Image: BANG Showbiz)

Cleto Escobedo III, the band leader of Jimmy Kimmel Live!, tragically passed away on Tuesday (11.11. 25) at the age of 59 due to cardiogenic shock, a rare condition where the heart can’t pump enough blood for the body. His death certificate, obtained by TMZ, also listed vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver as underlying causes. Other contributing factors to Cleto’s death included sepsis, graft versus host disease, immunosuppression, chronic kidney disease and pneumonia.

In honour of his late friend, Jimmy Kimmel has launched two fundraising initiatives. He shared 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”.

Jimmy Kimmel made an emotional tribute to Cleto (Image: Getty)

“And to honour his love of animals, the @TheAnimalFoundation in our hometown of Las Vegas. Links to give are in my bio. Thank you so much. (sic)”.

An emotional Jimmy paid tribute to Cleto and the Cletones leader on his show earlier this week, breaking down in tears as he remembered his lifelong friend. He opened the programme 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 reflected on his lifelong bond with Cleto, recalling how they grew up on 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.”

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Cleto’s father, Cleto Escobedo Sr. , who plays the tenor and alto saxophone in the Cletones, performed with the band during Tuesday night’s broadcast, whilst Cleto’s mother sat in the studio audience.

Jimmy also honoured Cleto on Instagram, describing his friend 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.”