‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer Jim Thornton Denies Any Wrongdoing After Suspension

The veteran broadcaster is speaking out for the first time since news of his suspension broke this week. His legal team says the situation has been badly mischaracterized, and that police cleared him on the spot.

Jim Thornton, the longtime "Wheel of Fortune" announcer, is fighting back against the swirl of allegations that led to his suspension this week.

Jim Thornton at the 2026 Voice Arts Awards held at The Beverly Hilton on January 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

After Sony Pictures Television confirmed that Thornton had been pulled from the game show following an in-flight incident earlier this year, the broadcaster's legal team issued a statement addressing the claims head-on.

Speaking to TMZ, Thornton's attorney said 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," the statement continued.

Jim Thornton at the 2026 Voice Arts Awards held at The Beverly Hilton on January 18, 2026 in Los Angeles, California. | Source: Getty Images

Sony suspended Thornton from "Wheel of Fortune" on Tuesday, September 1, while the studio looks into allegations tied to an American Airlines flight back in May.

The exact nature of what transpired on board remains murky, and neither the studio nor the airline has offered many specifics.

"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 said in a statement.

Jim Thornton attends the Radio & Television News Association of Southern California's 63rd Annual Golden Mike Awards at Universal City Hilton & Towers on January 19, 2013 in Universal City, California. | Source: Getty Images

Sony has not detailed what Thornton is accused of. According to TMZ, the allegations trace back to a complaint a fellow passenger made to a flight attendant during the May flight. Thornton was reportedly sporting a "Wheel of Fortune"-branded jacket at the time.

Sources with direct knowledge of the matter told TMZ that the flight's pilot radioed ahead so that law enforcement could meet Thornton once the plane reached the gate. Officers questioned him briefly before letting him go, according to the outlet.

Jim Thornton attends the Vintage Hollywood Fundraiser for Ocean Park Community Center at David Arquette's home on June 8, 2013 in Beverly Hills, California. | Source: Getty Images

A source close to the situation also told Page Six that American Airlines "followed established procedures in response to the concerns raised onboard" and is cooperating with law enforcement on the matter.

"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," the airline said in a statement to multiple outlets.

American Airlines' statement stopped short of naming Thornton or elaborating on what prompted the report. In the meantime, Sony has moved forward with recasting his role for the time being.

TMZ has since reported that Thornton will be edited out of "Wheel of Fortune's" upcoming 44th season entirely, as producers scramble to find a replacement.

The season's first month of episodes, set to premiere September 14, had already been filmed and was ready for air before the suspension came down.

Now, producers face the task of re-editing those finished episodes to swap in a new voice, a process one insider described to TMZ as a "major undertaking."

Jim Thornton helps drive listeners through morning traffic via KNX radio from 5a.m. to 10 in the mornings. | Source: Getty Images

Thornton stepped into the announcer role in 2011, taking over after the 2010 death of longtime "Wheel of Fortune" voice Charlie O'Donnell, who had been with the show from 1975 to 1980 and again from 1989 until his death.

Beyond "Wheel of Fortune," Thornton has lent his voice to shows like "The Price Is Right" and "The Soup," along with voiceover credits on "The Cleveland Show" and "Monsters, Inc."