NEWSWheel of Fortune's Jim Thornton Was 'Free to Go' After Police Questioned Him on Flight Allegation, Lawyer Says
Jim Thornton's lawyer says that the TV star was 'free to go' after being questioned by police.
Sept. 3 2026, Published 10:29 a.m. ET
Wheel of Fortune star Jim Thornton was reportedly cleared of any wrongdoing after being interrogated by the police.
The longtime announcer of the game show was accused by a fellow passenger of undisclosed misconduct on an American Airlines flight in May.
His attorney clarified to TMZ on September 1 that his client was “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,” they stated.
Jim Thornton's Lawyer Provided Details of the In-Flight Allegations Against the Star
Jim Thornton's lawyer said he was cleared of any wrongdoings after a short conversation with the police.
The attorney also commented that Thornton “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime.”
However, Sony Pictures Television, the company that produces the show, has seemingly taken a stricter approach to the situation.
In fact, they have decided to suspend the announcer while they investigate the undisclosed allegation of their own accord.
Sony Pictures Television suspended Jim Thornton over the allegations made by a fellow passenger during a plane journey in May.
“We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton. He has been suspended from Wheel of Fortune and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation,” the studio noted in a statement to the outlet.
The studio refused to comment on exactly what the allegations are that led to the TV star’s suspension.
However, sources reportedly told the outlet that the situation was severe enough that the pilot had called ahead to have law enforcement apprehend Thornton when the plane arrived at LAX.
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American Airlines Confirmed Jim Thornton's Confrontation With Law Enforcement Following a Fellow Passenger's Complaint
American Airlines confirmed that law enforcement was waiting for Jim Thornton when the place arrived at LAX.
American Airlines also stated the incident, saying, “On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) following concerns reported by a customer onboard.”
Per E! News, Thornton joined Wheel of Fortune in 2011 after the death of the show's former longtime announcer, Charlie O’Donnell.
Before entering the TV industry, he spent much of his life working in radio. He reflected on that time period in an interview with Riyaz Datoo in 2024, saying, “When I started, I was 8 years old [and] I had a little [mock] radio station in my basement.”
Jim Thornton started much of his life working in radio before joining 'Wheel of Fortune' in 2011.
“But I wanted to be on TV. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 19 and I kept working and working and working,” he continued.
He also gave some advice to people who are struggling for their big break, stating, “Show up to work on time and be enthusiastic—that's my two rules and you'll get ahead.”
