‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer Jim Thornton Fired After Suspension

Jim Thornton, the longtime announcer for Wheel of Fortune, has been fired from the popular game show following an investigation into allegations stemming from an incident on a commercial flight.

Sony Pictures Television confirmed Friday that Thornton’s employment had been terminated, ending his 15-year run with the show.

“Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective immediately,” a spokesperson for Sony Pictures Television told Entertainment Weekly.

Thornton, who joined Wheel of Fortune in 2011, was suspended from the show on Sept. 1 after Sony said it had become aware of allegations involving him. The show began looking for a replacement while the investigation was underway.

What happened on the flight?

The controversy dates back to May 14, when Thornton was a passenger on American Airlines Flight 1276 from Dallas to Los Angeles, according to reports.

The flight was met by law enforcement after it landed at Los Angeles International Airport. American Airlines said the response followed concerns raised by another passenger.

Thornton was questioned by authorities and released. His attorney later said he was not arrested, charged with a crime or accused of illegal conduct.

More details emerged Sept. 3, when Page Six reported that Thornton had accidentally accessed an inappropriate website during the flight, leading another passenger to complain.

Thornton’s attorney, Allison Hart, strongly denied that he knowingly accessed illegal material.

According to Hart, Thornton had become involved in suicide-prevention advocacy after losing a close family member to suicide two years ago. She said he had spent time visiting online chat rooms where people discuss suicidal thoughts and seek support.

Hart said Thornton was trying to visit 988lifeline.org, the official website associated with the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline, but was mistakenly directed to a different website with a similar-sounding address.

“He did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime,” Hart said in a letter.

She also said Thornton left the website as soon as he realized what it was and never returned.

“The website lifeline.chat itself is not unlawful, there is no unlawful child pornography or other pedophilic content, and my client has never viewed, downloaded, or consumed any child pornography,” Hart stated.

Thornton’s future with the show

Despite his attorney’s statements that Thornton committed no crime, Sony Pictures Television ultimately decided to end his employment following its investigation.

The decision brings an abrupt end to Thornton’s time on one of television’s most recognizable game shows.

Thornton had been the voice heard introducing contestants and helping guide viewers through the game since joining Wheel of Fortune in 2011. His departure means the show will now move forward with a new announcer.

For now, the circumstances surrounding the airline incident remain at the center of the controversy, while Thornton’s attorney continues to maintain that he did nothing wrong and that the website visit was accidental.