Jim Thornton Responds to Suspension from 'Wheel of Fortune'

<figure><img alt="jim thornton" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/NN72LZQT6RCGDOQC3TMSRMUAQE.jpg?auth=8644f6823fbd01b802586aa19924904fc114a56c8d14bcd551010792ed25fa46&amp;smart=true&amp;width=2400&amp;height=1350" /><figcaption>Eric McCandless / Disney via Getty Images</figcaption></figure><p>Jim Thornton, the announcer for <i>Wheel of Fortune</i> for the past 15 years, has denied any wrongdoing following his suspension from the show. Thornton stated through his lawyer that he “did not engage in any illegal conduct” after an incident on an American Airlines flight in May, where he was reported by a fellow passenger.</p><p>The pilot of the flight alerted law enforcement to meet Thornton upon landing, and he was questioned and subsequently released without charges. Details regarding the nature of the allegations have not been disclosed.</p><img alt="Wheel of Fortune contestant Christina Derevjanik and host Ryan Seacrest. / CBS" height="962" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/FJ63VB2KHNBXPJ5SCSGJEWR6II.png?auth=3bc2b4dfd1f9c16943628801f39c53aec9bb9a024d5e0e34ca6f0a0b537adaf7&amp;smart=true&amp;width=1338&amp;height=962" width="1338" /><video id="RMaYnf2w" poster="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/v2/media/RMaYnf2w/poster.jpg"><source src="https://cdn.jwplayer.com/videos/RMaYnf2w.mp4" type="video/mp4" /></video><p>Following the allegations, Sony announced Thornton's suspension and stated that they are conducting a thorough investigation. Thornton's lawyer emphasized that he was not arrested and that law enforcement quickly determined there was no wrongdoing.</p><p>American Airlines confirmed that law enforcement met Thornton’s flight upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport due to concerns reported by a customer onboard.</p><img alt="Ryan Seacrest and Vanna White host the classic game show. Seacrest took over as host from Pat Sajak in 2024. / Eric McCandless / Eric McCandless/Disney via Getty Images" height="2000" src="https://thedailybeast-thedailybeast-prod.web.arc-cdn.net/resizer/v2/LT26KCOM4JD3XLE7Z7OSHZS3DQ.jpg?auth=9e556ebf39556216bad2258f8913e01f3c4533246e423ce4216ee57378460a6f&amp;smart=true&amp;width=3000&amp;height=2000" width="3000" /><p>Thornton announced the game in a pre-taped episode on Tuesday. As of now, Sony has not disclosed who will replace him during the investigation.</p><p>Thornton became the announcer for <i>Wheel of Fortune</i> in 2011, following the death of Charlie O’Donnell, who held the position from 1975 to 1980 and again from 1989 to 2010.</p>