Culture 4 min read By Lauren Baxter
«Wheel of Fortune» Announcer Jim Thornton Fired by Sony
Sony Pictures Television has terminated Jim Thornton, the longtime announcer of «Wheel of Fortune», effective immediately, following an investigation into an alleged incident on an American Airlines flight in May.
Sony Pictures Television has fired Jim Thornton, the longtime announcer of «Wheel of Fortune», effective immediately. The studio confirmed the termination after completing an investigation into an alleged incident that occurred on an American Airlines flight in May.
«Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton's employment with 'Wheel of Fortune' has been terminated, effective immediately,» a studio spokeswoman said in a statement. The decision comes just weeks after Thornton was suspended from the long-running game show on September 1st, and it means his voice will not be heard when the program returns for its new season.
The suspension and subsequent firing stem from an incident on May 15th, when a fellow passenger on an American Airlines flight allegedly photographed Thornton's laptop screen. According to reports, the image showed what appeared to be a chat room containing disturbing material. TMZ reported that the passenger captured photos of Thornton's device displaying what was described as a chat room with images and texts that made it appear to be a pedophile support forum.
Thornton's attorney has disputed the characterization of the incident, claiming that his client accidentally clicked on the link while believing it led to something else. The attorney has not provided further details about what Thornton thought he was opening at the time.
Thornton had been a fixture on «Wheel of Fortune» for over a decade, serving as the show's announcer since 2011. He took over the role from the legendary Johnny Gilbert, who had held the position for decades. Thornton's deep, familiar voice became a staple of the syndicated game show, introducing contestants and reading prize descriptions to millions of viewers each night.
The firing marks a sudden end to Thornton's tenure with one of television's most enduring programs. «Wheel of Fortune» has been a cornerstone of American television since its debut in 1975, and the announcer role has historically been a long-held position, with only a handful of people occupying the chair over the show's five-decade history.
Sony Pictures Television, which produces the series, has not announced a permanent replacement for Thornton. The show is expected to continue production as scheduled, with the search for a new announcer presumably underway behind the scenes.
The incident has drawn significant attention given the nature of the allegations and the family-friendly reputation of the program. «Wheel of Fortune» has long been considered one of the safest, most wholesome offerings in prime-time syndicated television, and the controversy surrounding its announcer has generated considerable discussion among fans and industry observers alike.
Neither Thornton nor his representatives have issued a public statement beyond the earlier explanation from his attorney. American Airlines has not commented publicly on the incident, and no law enforcement action has been reported in connection with the matter.
