'Wheel' Announcer Suspended From Show

Jim Thornton

Longtime “Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended and his role is being recast after Sony Pictures Television said it learned of unspecified allegations against him. A Sony Pictures Television spokesperson told USA TODAY on Sept. 1: “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.” 

TMZ first reported the suspension. The studio has not detailed the allegations or the length of the suspension. Multiple outlets, citing TMZ, have linked the investigation to a May 14 incident on American Airlines Flight 1276, when a passenger reportedly complained to a flight attendant. The airline said law enforcement met the plane on arrival at Los Angeles International Airport “following concerns reported by a customer onboard.” 

Thornton was questioned and released and was not taken into custody, according to those reports. American Airlines has not named him. 

Sony’s statement does not confirm the flight as the basis for the action. Thornton has been the voice of the syndicated “Wheel of Fortune” since 2011, after serving as a guest announcer in 2010 following the death of Charlie O’Donnell, who held the job for more than 25 years. He also announces “Celebrity Wheel of Fortune,” which launched in 2021. Both versions are hosted by Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White. 

He has announced more than 2,200 episodes of the flagship show. Before landing the permanent “Wheel” job, he auditioned to replace Rod Roddy on “The Price Is Right.” Thornton began his broadcasting career in 1983 in Huntington, West Virginia, while attending Marshall University. 

He moved to Los Angeles the following year and joined KNX News 1070 AM in 1985, first as a traffic reporter and later as an afternoon news anchor. His credits include Westwood One Radio Networks, the voice of KCOP-TV, substitute announcing on “The Price Is Right,” and voice work on “Celebrity Deathmatch,” “The Cleveland Show,” and Disney’s “Monsters, Inc.” 

He has received an Edward R. Murrow Award, Golden Mike awards, and an Emmy. Sony produces “Wheel of Fortune,” which remains one of the top-rated syndicated programs. The studio said the recasting is in place while the investigation continues; some reports describe it as temporary pending the outcome. Thornton has not issued a public comment.