REALITY TV NEWS'Wheel of Fortune' Announcer Suspended as Investigation Continues, Network Says
Jim Thornton was suspended from 'Wheel of Fortune' amid an investigation into allegations.
Sept. 2 2026, Published 2:04 p.m. ET
Jim Thornton was suspended from Wheel of Fortune on September 1.
"We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton," Sony Pictures Television told TMZ.
"He has been suspended from Wheel of Fortune and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation," they added.
Jim Thornton Was Questioned After May Flight Incident
Jim Thornton was questioned by law enforcement after a passenger raised a concern during a May flight.
The allegations reportedly stemmed from a May flight.
A passenger raised a concern with a flight attendant, and law enforcement later met Thornton after the plane arrived at Los Angeles International Airport.
Officers questioned the TV personality, who was wearing a Wheel of Fortune jacket at the time, before ultimately releasing him.
However, details surrounding the incident and the reason behind these allegations remain unclear as of now.
Per TMZ, American Airlines also addressed the incident involving the flight.
"On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport following concerns reported by a customer onboard," the airline statement said.
Jim Thornton's attorney denied any illegal conduct and confirmed he was not arrested or charged.
Thornton's attorney offered additional context to TMZ about the encounter.
"Did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime," they said.
The lawyer continued, "When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight, law enforcement spoke to him for five minutes or less, immediately determined that no wrongdoing had occurred and told my client he was free to go."
Despite the suspension, Thornton appeared in a pre-taped episode of Wheel of Fortune that aired on Tuesday, September 1.
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Thornton Joined 'Wheel of Fortune' in 2011
Jim Thornton appeared alongside the 'Wheel of Fortune' cast during his time with the show.
Thornton became the show's announcer in 2011 after Charlie O'Donnell's death.
O'Donnell first worked on the program from 1975 to 1980 before returning in 1989 and remaining with the show until 2010. He also worked as an announcer on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
Though Thornton was primarily heard rather than seen, he occasionally appeared on screen.
In 2023, he hosted a segment after contestant Sarah Ward expressed interest in meeting him, while then-host Pat Sajak handled the announcing for the round.
Jim Thornton also lent his voice to several television and film projects.
Outside Wheel of Fortune, Thornton worked as an announcer on The Price Is Right, The Soup, and The Cleveland Show.
He also provided a commercial announcer voice for Pixar's Monsters, Inc.
Thornton began his broadcasting career in 1983 and later built a career in radio, including a stint as an anchor for KNX News 1070 AM.
