‘Last Week Tonight With John Oliver’ Pays Tribute to Late ‘Jimmy Kimmel Live’ Bandleader Cleto Escobedo III

“Jimmy Kimmel Live” bandleader Cleto Escobedo III, who died last week at 59, was honored on Sunday night during the opening credits of “Last Week Tonight With John Oliver“: A photo of Escobedo, with his saxophone, was spotted under the word “maestro.”

Oliver and team frequently use the last image in their credits before cutting to the host behind his desk to honor a newsmaker from the previous week — and given the tight camaraderie that exists among the late night shows, it’s probably no surprise that “Last Week Tonight” would want to recognize a fallen colleague.

Kimmel announced Escobedo’s passing on Tuesday via an Instagram post, and on that night’s episode, he shared the news and some of his memories of his childhood best friend. “To say that we are heartbroken is an understatement,” Kimmel wrote in his Tuesday post. “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. Cherish your friends and please keep Cleto’s wife, children and parents in your prayers.”

On Friday, Kimmel announced that he and the show had launched fundraisers for UCLA Medical Center and Las Vegas’ Animal Foundation in memory of Escobedo. “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. And to honor his love of animals, the The Animal Foundation in our hometown of Las Vegas.”

The UCLA Medical Center fundraiser noted, “In memory of our friend Cleto, we’d like to thank all the hardworking specialists, doctors, and nurses at UCLA. They worked tirelessly and generously to give him the best care. Cleto was always kind and eager to help others. To honor his generous spirit, we’d like to help vulnerable patients and families in need of financial assistance during hard times. Let’s help others in Cleto’s name.”

And at The Animal Foundation, the fundraiser noted, “Cleto was a beloved friend, father, and animal lover whose heart was always open to pets in need. His family shares this message: ‘Cleto was a compassionate animal lover. He loved each of his rescue dogs like they were family. Please consider making a donation to The Animal Foundation in his hometown of Las Vegas. Cleto would have loved his friends and family helping to provide safety, healing and homes for pets in need.’ In honor of Cleto’s lifelong love for animals, gifts made through this page will support The Animal Foundation’s work to save and care for vulnerable pets right here in Las Vegas.”

According to People magazine, which credited TMZ with first receiving Escobedo’s death certificate, “cardiogenic shock is listed as the immediate cause of death. Vasodilatory shock, disseminated intravascular coagulation and alcoholic cirrhosis of the liver are listed as underlying causes.”

Escobedo played the alto, tenor and soprano saxophones and also sang as part of the Cleto and the Cletones house band. Outside of performing on Kimmel’s show, Escobedo toured with Paula Abdul, Marc Anthony and Earth, Wind & Fire’s Phillip Bailey.

When Kimmel launched “Jimmy Kimmel Live!” on ABC in 2003, he asked Escobedo to lead the house band. “I always thank him for this gig because he could have tried to get somebody that was established and would help the show more, being a bigger name or whatever,” Escobedo told ABC7 in a 2013 interview. “But he trusted me with this job, and I’ve tried to do the best I can.”