Wheel of Fortune suspends and fires announcer Jim Thornton amid investigation

Key developments

1. Sep 5, 2026

   Sony Pictures Television suspends longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton amid an investigation into a May incident on a commercial flight.

   96 sources on this →
2. Sep 5, 2026

   Sony fires Jim Thornton after the investigation concludes, as his lawyers say he did nothing illegal and was not arrested.

   6 sources on this →

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Entertainment

Wheel of Fortune suspends longtime announcer Jim Thornton amid investigation

Jim Thornton, the longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer since 2011, has been suspended by Sony Pictures Television Studios and the show is recasting while a thorough investigation into reported allegations proceeds. Reports describe a May incident on a commercial flight in which a passenger alerted crew and law enforcement met Thornton at Los Angeles International Airport, though Sony has not disclosed specifics.

96 sources

Entertainment

Sony Fires Wheel Announcer Jim Thornton After Investigation

Jim Thornton, the longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer, was suspended by Sony amid an internal investigation into a May American Airlines flight incident and related online activity; the company is recasting his announcing duties while the probe continues. Thornton’s lawyers say he did nothing illegal and was not arrested, with claims that he inadvertently visited a controversial site while seeking mental-health resources, as authorities reportedly found no crime.