{
  "id": 6284210,
  "title": "‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton fired following investigation",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/09/08/wheel-of-fortune-announcer-jim-thornton-fired-following-investigation",
  "topic": "culture",
  "section": "Culture",
  "published": "2026-09-08T14:38:26.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Global News",
    "slug": "global-news",
    "url": "https://globalnews.ca/news/12050702/wheel-of-fortune-announcer-jim-thornton-fired/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Sony Pictures Television has terminated the employment of longtime \"Wheel of Fortune\" announcer Jim Thornton, following a thorough investigation into allegations against him, according to a company spokesperson. Thornton was suspended from the show last week after Sony Pictures Television announced that they would be recasting while conducting the investigation. The termination comes after TMZ published a report alleging that Thornton engaged in inappropriate behavior on an American Airlines flight in May, which included a photograph of him with his laptop open in a chat room. Thornton's lawyer denied any illegal conduct and stated that he was not arrested or charged with any crime. Thornton, who has been the voice of \"Wheel of Fortune\" since 2010, has also been the announcer for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune since 2021.",
  "summary": "Thornton was suspended from 'Wheel of Fortune' last week after Sony Pictures Television said the studio would be recasting while it conducted a thorough investigation.",
  "key_points": [
    "Sony Pictures Television terminated Jim Thornton's employment.",
    "Allegations of inappropriate behavior on a flight in May.",
    "Thornton's lawyer denied any illegal conduct."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}