Jim Thornton, the longtime announcer of “Wheel of Fortune,” has been fired by Sony Pictures Television following an investigation into a disturbing incident that reportedly occurred during a flight earlier this year.
Sony confirmed that Thornton’s employment with the popular game show was terminated effective immediately after the company completed its investigation. He had initially been suspended on September 1 while the allegations were being examined.
The controversy began with an incident aboard an American Airlines flight from Charlotte to Los Angeles on May 14. According to reports, a fellow passenger noticed Thornton using his laptop to access an online chatroom associated with people attracted to children. The passenger alerted the flight crew and photographs of the screen were later published.
Thornton was questioned by law enforcement after the plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport. However, his attorney has emphasized that he was not arrested or charged with any crime. She said Thornton accidentally accessed the website while attempting to find a suicide-prevention chatroom, an area he had become involved with after losing a loved one. His attorney maintains that he left the site after realizing what it was and did not engage in illegal activity.
Despite his explanation, Sony proceeded with his termination after its internal investigation.
Thornton, 61, had been the announcer of “Wheel of Fortune” since 2011, following the death of longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell. He also worked on other television programs and voice projects during his career.
His departure marks a major change for the long-running game show, with Sony now moving forward without the familiar voice that viewers had heard for more than a decade.