Jim Thornton suspended from Wheel of Fortune amid probe
Jim Thornton, the longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer, has been suspended by Sony Pictures Television while the studio investigates allegations tied to a May commercial flight. Sony says it is recasting the role during a thorough probe; Thornton’s attorney says he was not arrested or charged.
Key Takeaways
- Sony Pictures Television suspended Jim Thornton from Wheel of Fortune and is recasting while investigating.
- The inquiry follows a May 14 American Airlines flight to Los Angeles after a passenger reported concerns.
- Law enforcement questioned Thornton at LAX; he was released and has not been charged, his attorney says.
- Thornton has announced the game show since 2011, succeeding the late Charlie O’Donnell.
What happened to Jim Thornton on Wheel of Fortune?
Sony Pictures Television Studios confirmed that Jim Thornton has been suspended from the syndicated hit. In a statement shared with outlets including The Hollywood Reporter, the studio said it had “recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton,” added that he “has been suspended from Wheel of Fortune,” and said it is “recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation.”
Sony did not detail the allegations in its public remarks. The suspension matters for a franchise that remains a top syndicated draw and for fans who know Thornton’s voice as a fixture of the show hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White. Coverage of entertainment careers and earnings often lands in BlasterPost’s Net Worth & Wealth hub, where high-profile TV roles are closely watched.
Why was Jim Thornton questioned after a flight?
According to TMZ and follow-up reporting by KTLA, the situation traces to American Airlines Flight 1276 on May 14, from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Los Angeles. American Airlines said the flight “was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport following concerns reported by a customer onboard.”
A fellow passenger told TMZ she could see Thornton’s laptop and described messages and images in a chatroom that appeared to involve discussions about children. Photos later obtained by TMZ included material the passenger believed referenced minors, including a mention of “CP,” which she interpreted as child pornography. She alerted a flight attendant; the captain contacted authorities, and officers met the plane at the gate.
Sources told TMZ that officers questioned Thornton, who was wearing a Wheel jacket, and that he was eventually released. He was not arrested or charged with a crime, according to reporting based on his attorney’s account.
What has Jim Thornton’s attorney said about the allegations?
Attorney Allison Hart told TMZ that Thornton “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime.” She said law enforcement spoke with him for five minutes or less after a passenger complaint, “immediately determined that no wrongdoing had occurred,” and told him he was free to go.
Hart said Thornton became involved in suicide prevention advocacy after losing a close family member to suicide two years ago and regularly used the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline’s online chat. She said an acquaintance from that community sent a link to another site described as a chatroom for people with pedophilic thoughts, and that Thornton maintains he left after discovering the nature of the site.
TMZ reported that timestamps it reviewed appeared to show he was in the chatroom for nearly an hour. Hart said the website itself is not illegal and that Thornton never viewed, downloaded, or consumed child pornography. “In short, my client did nothing wrong,” she told TMZ.
Will Jim Thornton return to Wheel of Fortune?
That remains unclear. Sony said it is recasting while investigating. Thornton joined Wheel of Fortune in 2011 after Charlie O’Donnell’s death and has also announced on The Price Is Right and other projects.
TMZ noted he still appeared on a pre-taped episode the evening the suspension news broke. Until Sony completes its review, the booth remains in transition.