Wheel Announcer Fired After Alleged Incident on Plane

UPDATE Sep 5, 2026 7:30 AM CDT

Jim Thornton will no longer be announcing on one of America's most popular game shows. "Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton's employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective immediately," show producer Sony Pictures TV announced in a statement, per Variety. Thornton had allegedly been spotted on a flight in May on his laptop in a chatroom that seemed to be geared toward individuals with sexual interest in kids. Sources say someone else has redone Thornton's voice in existing spots for now, and that he won't be back when the show returns for a new season on Sept. 14. A permanent replacement has yet to be announced. There's been no word yet from Thornton's team.

Sep 4, 2026 8:40 AM CDT

Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton's suspension reportedly stemmed from what a fellow airline passenger says she saw on his laptop mid-flight back in May: a chatroom that appeared to cater to people with sexual interest in children. The passenger, who spoke to TMZ, snapped photos showing messages referencing "cute boys," a "hot little girl," "All-you-can-eat Boyfett," and "CP," which she understood as "child porn," then alerted the crew. Police met the plane in Los Angeles and questioned Thornton before letting him go.

Thornton wasn't arrested or charged. His attorney says he has been active in suicide-prevention work and was using online support forums tied to 988lifeline.org when an acquaintance sent him a link to lifeline.chat, which serves people with pedophilic thoughts. She says he exited after realizing what it was and insists he never viewed or downloaded child sexual abuse material. The lawyer calls TMZ's report "defamatory," USA Today reports. It's not yet clear whether Thornton will return to the game show; Page Six reports he's being edited out of the upcoming season.