Archive · 5 Sep 2026
Jim Thornton Fired From Wheel of Fortune After Investigation
Jim Thornton was the announcer on the television show Wheel of Fortune.
He was first suspended after a passenger reported seeing troubling material on his laptop during a flight.
The flight traveled from Charlotte to Los Angeles on May 14.
Police questioned Thornton when the plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport.
His attorney says he was not arrested or charged with a crime.
She says Thornton was trying to find a suicide-prevention support forum.
According to her, an acquaintance sent him to a different website with a similar-looking address by mistake.
Thornton allegedly left the site after realizing what it was.
Sony Pictures Television later said it had fired him immediately after completing its investigation.
Jim Thornton was fired immediately from Wheel of Fortune after Sony Pictures Television completed an investigation.
The controversy began with a May 14 incident aboard American Airlines Flight 1276 from Charlotte to Los Angeles.
A passenger reportedly saw what appeared to be a chat room related to child sexual abuse on Thornton’s laptop and alerted airline personnel.
Law enforcement questioned Thornton after the flight landed at Los Angeles International Airport; his attorney said he was not arrested or charged.
Thornton’s attorney, Allison Hart, said he accidentally accessed the site while seeking suicide-prevention resources after being misdirected by an acquaintance.
- Who
- Jim Thornton, his attorney Allison Hart, Sony Pictures Television, law enforcement, and a passenger who reported the alleged material.
- What
- Thornton was fired as the Wheel of Fortune announcer after an investigation into allegations involving material reportedly seen on his laptop.
- When
- The reported incident occurred on May 14; Sony Pictures Television later announced his immediate termination after its investigation.
- Where
- The incident reportedly occurred aboard American Airlines Flight 1276 traveling from Charlotte, North Carolina, to Los Angeles; authorities questioned Thornton at Los Angeles International Airport.
- Why
- Sony Pictures Television said it terminated Thornton after a thorough investigation into allegations; Hart says the website was accessed accidentally while Thornton sought suicide-prevention support.
Thornton’s Attorney
Passenger Reports and Sony Pictures Television
How Thornton reached the website
Thornton’s Attorney
Allison Hart said Thornton was directed by an acquaintance to a website with a URL resembling suicide-prevention forums and believed it offered support for people experiencing suicidal thoughts.
Passenger Reports and Sony Pictures Television
A passenger reportedly saw what appeared to be a chat room related to child sexual abuse on Thornton’s laptop and alerted airline personnel.
Whether the conduct was intentional
Thornton’s Attorney
Hart said Thornton accessed the site by accident, left after understanding what it was, and did not return.
Passenger Reports and Sony Pictures Television
The reported laptop display prompted airline personnel to contact authorities, and Sony Pictures Television investigated allegations concerning Thornton.
Thornton’s future on the show
Thornton’s Attorney
Thornton’s attorney disputed the interpretation of the incident and emphasized that he was not arrested or charged with a crime.
Passenger Reports and Sony Pictures Television
Sony Pictures Television first suspended Thornton and temporarily recast his role, then said it terminated his employment effective immediately after completing its investigation.
- Employment decision
- Sony Pictures Television said Jim Thornton’s employment with Wheel of Fortune was terminated effective immediately after a thorough investigation.
- Reported incident
- May 14, aboard American Airlines Flight 1276.
- Flight route
- Charlotte, North Carolina, to Los Angeles.
- Alleged material
- A passenger reportedly saw what appeared to be a chat room related to child sexual abuse on Thornton’s laptop.
- Law-enforcement response
- Authorities met the plane at Los Angeles International Airport and questioned Thornton before releasing him.
- Attorney’s account
- Allison Hart said Thornton was misdirected to an inappropriate website while seeking suicide-prevention resources.
- Show tenure
- Reports said Thornton had been associated with Wheel of Fortune since 2011, for about 15 years.
