Longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton has reportedly been pulled from the iconic game show as producers investigate allegations stemming from an incident aboard an American Airlines flight.
Thornton, 61, who has been the booming voice behind Wheel of Fortune for more than a decade, has been suspended while show bosses look into what allegedly happened earlier this year.
A spokesperson for the program confirmed the shake-up, saying producers recently became aware of allegations involving Thornton and have begun searching for someone to temporarily take over his role.
“We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton,” the spokesperson told Page Six.
“He has been suspended from Wheel of Fortune, and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation.”
The controversy reportedly dates back to May 14, when Thornton was traveling aboard an American Airlines flight headed to Los Angeles International Airport.
According to TMZ, another passenger allegedly complained about Thornton to a flight attendant during the trip.
Authorities were notified, and Thornton was reportedly questioned by officers after the plane arrived in Los Angeles.
However, his attorney strongly pushed back against any suggestion that Thornton committed a crime.
The lawyer said Thornton “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime.”
According to Thornton’s attorney, law enforcement officers spoke with the announcer for no more than five minutes before determining that no wrongdoing had occurred and allowing him to leave.
American Airlines has confirmed that an alleged incident was reported aboard the May 14 flight and that law enforcement was contacted.
The suspension marks a stunning development for one of Wheel of Fortune’s longest-serving current personalities.
Thornton joined the legendary game show in 2011 following the death of longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell, who died of congestive heart failure in 2010 at age 78.
O’Donnell had a long history with Wheel of Fortune, serving as announcer from 1975 to 1980 before returning in 1989 and remaining with the program until his death.
Thornton eventually became a fixture on the show himself, appearing in more than 2,200 episodes.
For years, his familiar voice introduced contestants, prizes and hosts to millions of viewers, even though audiences rarely saw him on camera.
He also spent years working alongside Pat Sajak before the legendary host retired from Wheel of Fortune in 2024 after more than four decades with the franchise.
Thornton did get a rare moment in the spotlight during a memorable 2023 episode when contestant Sarah Ward told Sajak she desperately wanted to meet the announcer.
“I love Jim Thornton so much,” Ward declared.
Sajak jokingly asked Thornton whether “any money changed hands,” prompting the announcer to insist from his booth that no deal had been made.
Ward simply responded that she loved him.
Outside of Wheel of Fortune, Thornton has built an extensive career in radio and voice acting.
He has worked as an afternoon anchor at Los Angeles all-news radio station KNX and has also provided voices for television, animation and video games.
His credits include Johnny Gomez on Celebrity Deathmatch and announcer work on The Cleveland Show. He has also performed voice work for Hitman: Blood Money and appeared as a radio DJ in Mafia II.
For now, Thornton’s future with Wheel of Fortune remains uncertain as producers move forward with their investigation and begin recasting his high-profile announcing role.