Published: 22:23 BST, 1 September 2026 | Updated: 00:16 BST, 2 September 2026
Jim Thornton, the announcer of Wheel of Fortune, was suspended on Tuesday by Sony Pictures Television Studios.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, Sony 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.'
The statement notably didn't give any indication of what allegations had been leveled.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Thornton for comment but has not yet received a response.
TMZ reports that the investigation stems from a commercial American Airlines flight Thornton took in May, during which another passenger allegedly complained about him to a flight attendant.
The situation was apparently serious enough that the plane's pilot arranged to have law enforcement waiting for Thornton once he reached the gate.
Jim Thornton, the announcer of Wheel of Fortune, was suspended on Tuesday, according to TMZ. Sony Pictures Television Studios said it is recasting while conducting an investigation; Thornton is pictured on Celebrity Wheel of Fortune in 2024
The investigation allegedly stems from an incident on an airplane on May 14 in which a passenger complained about Thornton. He was reportedly questioned by officers upon landing before being released; pictured in 2013 in LA
Thornton, who was pictured in a photo from the flight while wearing a Wheel of Fortune jacket, was reportedly questioned by the officers before he was allowed to go on his way.
In a statement to the Daily Mail, American Airlines said: '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 tenure with Wheel of Fortune goes back to 2011, when he replaced former announcer Charlie O'Donnell after his death in November 2010 at 78.
At the time, the long-running game show was hosted by Pat Sajak and Vanna White.
Thornton is rarely seen on the show, but TMZ notes that in 2023 he filled in for Sajak to host a round of the competition because one of the contestants was hoping to meet him.
After Sajak's retirement, Ryan Seacrest joined White to co-host Wheel of Fortune beginning in September 2024.
