‘Wheel of Fortune’ Announcer Jim Thornton Suspended Amid Sony Investigation Into Alleged Plane Incident

Longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer Jim Thornton has been pulled from the game show while Sony Pictures Television investigates allegations against him.

“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,” Sony Pictures Television Studios told TMZ in statement published on Tuesday, September 1.

Sony did not disclose the nature of the allegations.

The outlet reported that they reportedly stem from an incident aboard a commercial flight in May, when another passenger complained about Thornton, 61, to a flight attendant.

The pilot arranged for law enforcement to meet Thornton when the plane reached the gate. He was questioned and later released.

American Airlines confirmed to the outlet that authorities responded after Flight 1276 landed at Los Angeles International Airport.

“On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport following concerns reported by a customer onboard,” the airline said.

Thornton has voiced Wheel of Fortune since 2011, succeeding longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell. He has also worked on The Price Is Right, The Soup, and The Cleveland Show and provided voice work for Pixar’s Monsters, Inc.