Jim Thornton Suspended From Wheel of Fortune Following Flight Incident

Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton faces an internal investigation and suspension after an incident aboard an American Airlines flight prompted law enforcement response at Los Angeles International Airport in May, according to reports. Sony Pictures Television confirmed the announcer’s suspension as studio executives move to recast the role during the ongoing inquiry.

The events leading to Thornton’s suspension began on May 14 aboard American Airlines Flight 1276, which was traveling from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Los Angeles. A fellow passenger told media outlets that she observed disturbing messages and images visible on Thornton’s laptop screen within an online chatroom during the journey.

According to the passenger’s account, the material involved references she interpreted as relating to minors, including an abbreviation referencing child pornography. The traveler alerted a flight attendant and provided photographs of the screen to the flight crew. The plane’s captain subsequently notified authorities, ensuring law enforcement officers were waiting at the gate upon arrival at LAX.

An American Airlines spokesperson confirmed the flight’s arrival in a statement: On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) following concerns reported by a customer onboard.

Insiders noted that Thornton, 61, was wearing a Wheel of Fortune jacket at the time. Officers questioned the TV personality after landing, but he was ultimately released.

Thornton’s attorney, Allison Hart, has strongly denied any wrongdoing or illegal conduct by the television personality. In a letter to media outlets, Hart stated that her client was not arrested, did not engage in any illegal activity, and has not been charged with any crime. According to the defense, law enforcement officers spoke with Thornton for five minutes or less after the flight landed, determined that no wrongdoing had occurred, and told him he was free to leave.

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Hart explained that Thornton became involved in suicide prevention advocacy after losing a close family member to suicide two years ago and had spent time in online forums supporting people experiencing suicidal thoughts. According to his attorney, Thornton regularly participated in these spaces before the incident occurred.

Furthermore, Thornton’s legal representation contended that it was TMZ’s request for comment regarding the article that led to the internal investigation and Thornton’s suspension.

Sony Pictures Television responded swiftly to the situation by removing Thornton from his announcing duties while the studio examines the allegations. In a statement released to media organizations, a studio spokesperson confirmed the disciplinary action while declining to share further details regarding the ongoing inquiry.

Thornton, 66, has been the voice of Wheel of Fortune since 2010, the same year original announcer Charlie O’Donnell died at the age of 78. Thornton was initially a guest announcer, according to IMDb, and officially joined the show as the main announcer for its 29th season in 2011. He has announced a total of 2,980 episodes and has also served as an announcer for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune since 2021. His voice acting credits include roles in The Cleveland Show, Celebrity Deathmatch and “Monsters, Inc.as well. Thornton has spent most of his time onWheel of Fortune” behind the cameras, with Pat Sajak and Vanna White serving as the hosts until Sajak’s departure in June 2024. Ryan Seacrest began hosting the game show with White in September 2024.