Jim Thornton FIRED From ‘Wheel of Fortune’ After Investigation
Longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton has been fired from the popular game show following an investigation into an incident that occurred during a commercial airline flight in May.
Sony Pictures Television confirmed that Thornton’s employment was terminated immediately after what it described as a “thorough investigation.”
“Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective immediately,” a spokesperson for Sony Pictures Television told Entertainment Weekly on Friday.
Thornton, who joined Wheel of Fortune in 2011, was suspended on Sept. 1 after concerns were reportedly raised about his behavior during an American Airlines flight. According to reports, fellow passengers complained, and law enforcement met Thornton after the plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport. He was questioned and released.
American Airlines confirmed that Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement on May 14 following concerns reported by a passenger.
Thornton’s attorney previously stated that he “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime.”
Further details emerged Sept. 3, when Page Six reported that Thornton had accidentally visited an inappropriate website while on the flight, prompting another passenger to complain.
His attorney, Allison Hart, said Thornton had been involved in suicide-prevention advocacy since losing a close family member two years ago. She claimed he had been trying to access an online forum offering support to people experiencing suicidal thoughts but was mistakenly directed to a site with a similar name.
According to Hart, Thornton did not realize the nature of the site and immediately left after discovering what it was.
She also maintained that Thornton never viewed, downloaded or consumed child pornography and said law enforcement determined that no crime had occurred.
Thornton has not been arrested or charged with a crime.
Despite those statements from his attorney, Sony Pictures Television has now confirmed that Thornton will not return to Wheel of Fortune, ending his 15-year run as the show’s announcer.