Sony Pictures Television suspends "Wheel of Fortune" announcer Jim Thornton pending investigation
Jim Thornton has been suspended from "Wheel of Fortune" while Sony Pictures Television conducts an investigation into allegations stemming from an incident on a commercial flight.
"Wheel of Fortune" announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended by Sony Pictures Television, the production company said in a statement. The move follows allegations related to an incident on a commercial flight in May, during which a passenger reportedly raised concerns to a flight attendant and the pilot arranged for law enforcement to meet Thornton at the gate.
"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," Sony Pictures TV said.
Thornton, who has voiced the show since 2010 and its celebrity spin-off since 2021, previously worked as an afternoon anchor for KNX 1070 Newsradio and has held various broadcasting roles in Los Angeles, including traffic reporting for KCBS-TV and voice work for KCOP-TV. His career includes awards such as an Edward R. Murrow award, Golden Mike awards and an Emmy. He also provided substitute announcing on "The Price Is Right" and voiced characters in animated series and video games.
The production is currently recasting the announcer role while the investigation proceeds.