Wheel of Fortune Suspends Announcer Jim Thornton

Sony Pictures Television Studios has suspended Jim Thornton, the longtime announcer of 'Wheel of Fortune,' and is recasting the role while it investigates allegations against him, the company said.

"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 Television Studios said in a statement. The company did not specify the nature of the allegations.

Thornton has been the show's announcer since 2011, when he took over the role following the death of longtime announcer Charlie O'Donnell. He has announced nearly 3,000 episodes of the game show and has also served as announcer for 'Celebrity Wheel of Fortune' since 2021. His voice work also includes credits on 'Celebrity Death Match,' 'The Cleveland Show' and Pixar's 'Monsters, Inc.'

The suspension follows an incident in May 2026 aboard American Airlines Flight 1276. When the flight landed at Los Angeles International Airport on May 14, law enforcement met the plane after a passenger raised concerns about Thornton's behavior during the flight. Thornton, who was wearing a 'Wheel' jacket at the time, was questioned by officers but was not taken into custody. The specific nature of the passenger's complaint has not been publicly disclosed.