Jim Thornton’s LAX Incident Leads to ‘Wheel of Fortune’ Suspension
Written by DJ Sight on September 4, 2026
Longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton has been suspended from the show following an incident aboard an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles in May.
According to reports, a passenger became concerned after seeing messages and images on Thornton’s laptop in an online chatroom. She alerted the crew and provided photos, prompting authorities to question Thornton when the plane landed at LAX.
Thornton was not arrested or charged. His attorney, Allison Hart, denies that he engaged in any illegal activity.
Sony suspended Thornton while it investigates the allegations and began recasting his announcing role. Thornton has served as the announcer for Wheel of Fortune since 2011, but it remains unclear whether he will return.
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