‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton fired after pedophilia chat room incident

Jim Thornton, the announcer for "Wheel of Fortune," has been officially fired by Sony Pictures Television following an investigation into allegations involving a chat room incident related to pedophilia. The termination of Thornton's employment was confirmed by a studio spokeswoman, who stated that the decision was made after a thorough investigation. The firing is effective immediately, marking the end of Thornton's tenure with the show, which began in 2010. He also served as the announcer for "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune" since its inception in 2021. Prior to his termination, Jim Thornton was suspended amid the investigation into the allegations against him. The suspension was first reported by various outlets, including TMZ, and was confirmed by Sony Pictures Television. During this period, the studio indicated that they would be recasting the role of announcer for "Wheel of Fortune." The allegations that led to his suspension and subsequent firing stemmed from an incident that reportedly occurred on an American Airlines flight in May. The situation surrounding Thornton has garnered significant media attention, with multiple entertainment news outlets covering the developments. The decision to terminate his employment reflects the seriousness with which Sony Pictures Television is treating the allegations. As the investigation unfolded, the studio took swift action to ensure that the integrity of the show and its production team remained intact.