"Wheel of Fortune" Announcer Jim Thornton Suspended Amid Investigation into Airline Incident

Jim Thornton, the well-known announcer for the popular game show "Wheel of Fortune," has been suspended from his role while an investigation into alleged misconduct is underway.

The suspension is linked to an incident that reportedly occurred during an American Airlines flight in May. Reports indicate that another passenger filed a complaint regarding Thornton's behavior during the journey. Upon the aircraft's arrival at Los Angeles International Airport (LAX), law enforcement officials were present to meet the flight.

"On May 14, American Airlines Flight 1276 was met by law enforcement upon arrival at Los Angeles International Airport following concerns reported by a customer onboard," an airline representative stated.

Despite the police presence at the gate, Thornton was not taken into custody following the incident.

Thornton's Career Background

Thornton joined "Wheel of Fortune" as its announcer in 2011, stepping into the iconic role previously held by Charlie O’Donnell, who passed away in 2010. His voice has become a familiar part of both the regular "Wheel of Fortune" series and "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune."

Before his tenure with the long-running game show, Thornton lent his vocal talents to a variety of other productions. His credits include voice work for animated series such as "Celebrity Death Match" and "The Cleveland Show," as well as the Pixar animated film "Monsters, Inc."

His extensive broadcasting career also includes contributions to other prominent game shows like "The Price is Right" and "Jeopardy!" Additionally, Thornton has been a fixture at KNX 1070 Newsradio, where he has worked since 1985.

Throughout his distinguished career, Thornton has been recognized with multiple accolades, including the prestigious Edward R. Murrow award and an Emmy, according to biographical information available from "Wheel of Fortune."