Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended as Sony Pictures Television investigates allegations involving the longtime voice of the game show.
“We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton,” a Sony Pictures Television Studios spokesperson said. “He has been suspended from Wheel of Fortune, and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation.”
“Wheel of Fortune” announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended from the show following an incident on a commercial flight in May, when a passenger expressed concerns about Thornton to a flight attendant. TMZ wrote that “sources with direct knowledge tell us the pilot called ahead… pic.twitter.com/3CMhUdeL2Z
— Variety (@Variety) September 1, 2026
Sony did not provide details about the allegations, the anticipated length of Thornton’s suspension or the identity of a potential replacement. The company’s statement confirms that the action is temporary and investigative in nature; it does not say Thornton has been fired or found to have committed wrongdoing.
Thornton has been the announcer on Wheel of Fortune since 2011, joining the show after the death of longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell in 2010. His voice has remained a familiar part of both the syndicated show and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune during a period of major on-camera change that included Ryan Seacrest succeeding Pat Sajak as host.
TMZ, which first reported the suspension, said the allegations are connected to an incident on an American Airlines flight in May. The outlet reported that a passenger raised concerns about Thornton during the flight and that law enforcement met American Airlines Flight 1276 when it landed at Los Angeles International Airport on May 14.
American Airlines confirmed only that law enforcement met the flight “following concerns reported by a customer onboard.” The airline did not publicly identify Thornton or describe the reported concern.
According to a statement Thornton’s attorney gave TMZ, Thornton was not arrested, was not charged with a crime and did not engage in illegal conduct. The attorney said law enforcement spoke with him for several minutes and released him after determining no wrongdoing had occurred. Those claims are Thornton’s legal representative’s account; Sony’s investigation remains ongoing.
Viewers may still hear Thornton on already recorded episodes. TMZ reported that he appeared in a pre-taped episode that aired Tuesday night, hours after Sony announced the suspension.