The longtime announcer for Wheel of Fortune, Jim Thornton, is currently serving a suspension from the popular game show. As reported by TMZ, producer Sony Pictures Television confirmed the development regarding the broadcaster, who has been a staple of the program since 2010.
This situation stems from an incident that occurred on a commercial flight back in May. A passenger reportedly voiced concerns about Thornton to a flight attendant during the trip. The pilot reportedly contacted ground authorities to ensure that law enforcement was waiting for Thornton when the plane reached the gate.
The production company is taking the matter seriously while they look into what happened. Sony Pictures TV released an official statement regarding the move. “We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton,” the company said. “He has been suspended from Wheel of Fortune and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation.”
Thornton built a massive career in the Los Angeles area over several decades
Thornton first gained traction in 1985 when he started as a traffic reporter with Metro Traffic. He eventually moved into an afternoon anchor role at KNX 1070 Newsradio and also handled traffic reports for KCBS-TV. His resume is packed with impressive work, including roles at Westwood One Radio Networks and a four-year stint as the voice of KCOP-TV in Los Angeles. Throughout his career, he has picked up an Emmy, Golden Mike awards, and an Edward R. Murrow award.
Many fans likely know him best for his work on Wheel of Fortune, where he stepped in following the death of the show’s previous announcer, Charlie O’Donnell. He also brought his talents to Celebrity Wheel of Fortune starting in 2021.
Beyond the game show world, he has been a substitute announcer for The Price Is Right. His voice has appeared in various projects, such as the animated series The Cleveland Show, Tim and Eric Awesome Show, Great Job!, and Celebrity Deathmatch, where he provided the voice for the character Johnny Gomez.
Thornton’s contributions even extend into the film industry and gaming world. He worked as a commercial narrator for the 2001 film Monsters, Inc. and voiced the 2011 Oscar-nominated short film Let’s Pollute. He has also lent his voice to several video games, like Hitman: Blood Money and Mafia 2, over the years.
This isn’t the first time Wheel of Fortune has dealt with controversy of this kind, though. Last year, host Ryan Seacrest was slapped with a lawsuit by a woman who claimed she lost money to a reportedly illegal online casino that he promoted. At the time, Seacrest’s stint as a host was surrounded by a lot of speculation.
For now, the show is moving ahead with recasting efforts as the investigation continues.
Published: Sep 3, 2026 04:30 pm