Jim Thornton Fired as ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer After Disturbing Website Visits Revealed

Updated 9/4/2026 4:56 p.m. ET: Jim Thornton has been fired from Wheel of Fortune. The announcer reportedly visited disturbing websites on a public plane that led to a woman reporting him to the pilot.

TMZ reports that Thornton’s firing was made official on September 4. A spokesperson for Sony told the publication, “Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective immediately.”

His replacement has not yet been named. However, fans have expressed who they would like to join the game show.

Despite already filming a handful of Wheel of Fortune episodes for Season 44, producers were reportedly working hard to take announcer Jim Thornton out of them after his incident on a plane.

TMZ reported that a source told the publication that the first month of the game show had already been filmed, with Thornton as the announcer. Producers are re-editing those episodes with a new announcer, who has not yet been publicly named.

A source called this a “major undertaking.”

Jim Thornton’s lawyer shed some light on the alleged incident that got the Wheel of Fortune announcer suspended.

Speaking with TMZ, his attorney said Thornton “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime.”

“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.”

Wheel Of Fortune/YouTube

Original Story (9/3/26 at 8:41 p.m. ET): Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended from his longtime role on the game show by Sony Pictures Television Studios as the company investigates unspecified allegations against him.

According to TMZ, Sony confirmed Thornton’s suspension on Tuesday, September 1, saying it had “recently been made aware of allegations” concerning the announcer. The studio said it is conducting a “thorough investigation” and has already begun the process of recasting his role. Thornton has served as the voice of Wheel of Fortune since 2011, introducing the contestants and hosts at the start of each episode.

The publication reports that the investigation stems from a May 14 incident aboard an American Airlines flight. Another passenger allegedly complained about Thornton to a flight attendant, prompting the pilot to arrange for law enforcement to meet the plane when it arrived at Los Angeles International Airport.

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A rep from American Airlines told the publication: “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.”

No other details regarding the allegations are available at this time. However, according to the report, the incident escalated to the point that law enforcement met Thornton at the gate, where he was reportedly questioned before being allowed to leave.

American Airlines confirmed that officers met the flight following concerns raised by another passenger but did not elaborate on what happened.

In a statement to TMZ, Sony said: “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.”

Thornton joined Wheel of Fortune in 2011 after the passing of longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell. He also announces the primetime spinoff Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.

— Additional reporting by Erin Maxwell