Lawyer for Wheel of Fortune ’s Jim Thornton Speaks Out After Suspension

Originally appeared on E! Online

Jim Thornton is attempting to clear his name.

After Wheel of Fortuneannounced that its longtime announcer was suspended from the ABC game show following undisclosed allegations, his lawyer spoke out to defend him.

Thornton’s attorney told TMZ in a Sept. 1 statement that the announcer “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime.”

Plus, the lawyer provided details on the alleged incident, which involved Thornton and a fellow passenger on an American Airlines flight in May.

“When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight,” the attorney continued, “law enforcement spoke to him for five minutes or less, immediately determined that no wrongdoing had occurred and told my client he was free to go.”

For their part, American Airlines previously confirmed that law enforcement was called to the scene after the alleged incident occurred, sharing in a Sept. 1 statement, “On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) following concerns reported by a customer onboard.”

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While Sony Pictures Television—which produces the game show—didn’t provide details about the allegations against Thornton, the company told E! News in a Sept. 1 statement that he “has been suspended from Wheel of Fortune and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation.”

E! News has not been able to locate contact information for Thornton to seek comment.

Thornton joined the Wheel of Fortune in 2011 after the 2010 death of longtime announcer Charlie O’Donnell, who had held the position for 21 years after an initial stint from 1979 to 1980.

Prior to entering the announcer booth at Wheel of Fortune, Thornton spent much of his career in radio, though he has reflected on how that passion helped prepare him for his ultimate dream in life.

“When I started I was 8 years old [and] I had a little [mock] radio station in my basement,” he told YouTuber Riyaz Datoo in a 2024 interview, “but I wanted to be on TV. I moved to Los Angeles when I was 19 and I kept working and working and working.”

And now, as Thornton sees it, “Show up to work on time and be enthusiastic—that’s my two rules and you’ll get ahead.”

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