Jim Thornton, the announcer for "Wheel of Fortune," has been fired by Sony Pictures Television Studios. The studio confirmed the termination, stating, "Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective immediately."
Thornton's dismissal follows his suspension earlier in the week. A spokesperson for Sony Pictures Television Studios had previously told Fox News Digital on September 1, "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." The nature of the allegations was not specified at the time.
According to TMZ, the incident in question is related to an American Airlines flight Thornton took in May. A fellow passenger reportedly complained about Thornton's behavior, leading to law enforcement meeting the plane upon its arrival at Los Angeles International Airport. American Airlines confirmed to TMZ that Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement due to concerns reported by a customer onboard.
Thornton was not taken into custody and has not been charged with any crime, according to a statement released by his attorney to TMZ on September 2. The attorney stated that law enforcement spoke with Thornton for less than five minutes, determined no wrongdoing occurred, and allowed him to leave.
Thornton began his tenure as the announcer for "Wheel of Fortune" in 2011, succeeding the show's original announcer, Charlie O'Donnell, after O'Donnell's death in 2010.