News has come out that Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended from the show. As sources have been weighing in on the story, another development has come out. Reportedly, he will be edited out of the upcoming season.
Jim Thornton Joined Wheel Of Fortune As An Announcer Back In 2011
Thornton is a radio and television announcer, news anchor, and voice actor. To many, he is best known for announcing Wheel of Fortune. He took on the position in 2011, following the passing of longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell. He has also worked on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune.
As a voice actor, Thornton has also appeared on shows like Celebrity Deathmatch and The Cleveland Show. He has also been part of video games, including game adaptations of Wheel of Fortune.
According to TMZ, Thornton has been suspended by Sony Pictures Television Studios. As the studio shared with the outlet, “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.”
The studio didn’t provide a reason for the suspension. However, the outlet reported that there were claims of an alleged incident involving Thornton on a flight. According to inside sources, Thornton had to meet with law enforcement when the plane arrived at the fate and he was questioned by officers.
Sources Say Editing Thornton Out Of The New Season Will Be A ‘Major Undertaking’
Reportedly, a passenger complained to a flight attendant concerning Thornton and the pilot contacted law enforcement beforehand. According to American Airlines, “On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport following concerns reported by a customer onboard.”
Thornton’s attorney later spoke with the outlet, claiming that the announcer “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime. When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight, law enforcement spoke to him for five minutes or less, immediately determined that no wrongdoing had occurred and told my client he was free to go.”
In a later update to the story, the outlet shared that Thornton was being cut out of the show’s newest season, which premieres September 14. The season has reportedly already been taped. According to sources reportedly familiar with the situation, the re-editing will be a “major undertaking.”
😬 EXCLUSIVE: “Wheel of Fortune” is scrubbing Jim Thornton from edited episodes for the new season.
Read more: https://t.co/6IRcx3Ff53 pic.twitter.com/jvQwTHlW5w
— TMZ (@TMZ) September 2, 2026
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John Witiw has been a writer since at least 2015. He’s covered a variety of topics, especially when it comes to film and television.