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Jim Thornton is an American radio and television announcer best known as the longtime voice of Wheel of Fortune. He joined the syndicated game show in 2011 and became one of its most recognizable voices.
He is now attracting renewed attention after Sony Pictures Television suspended him from Wheel of Fortune amid an investigation into allegations concerning him.
Sony confirmed the suspension on September 1, 2026, saying the announcer role would be recast while the company conducts a thorough investigation. The studio has not publicly explained the nature of the allegations.
Reports have connected the investigation to a May 2026 incident aboard an American Airlines flight. According to TMZ, a passenger complained to a flight attendant, and law enforcement later questioned Thornton after the plane landed at Los Angeles International Airport.
Thornton’s attorney has said he did not engage in illegal conduct, was not arrested and was not charged with a crime. His attorney also said officers determined no wrongdoing had occurred and allowed him to leave.
Quick Facts About Jim Thornton
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Full name | Jim Thornton |
| Born | 1965 |
| Birthplace | Huntington, West Virginia |
| Age | 61 in 2026 |
| Profession | Radio and television announcer, voice actor |
| Education | Huntington High School; Marshall University |
| Wife | Sue Thornton |
| Children | One son, Sam |
| Wheel of Fortune role | Announcer |
| Joined Wheel of Fortune | 2011 |
| Previous major role | KNX 1070 Newsradio |
| Current status | Suspended from Wheel of Fortune pending investigation |
Who Is Jim Thornton?
Jim Thornton is a veteran broadcaster whose career spans radio, television announcing and voice work.
He grew up in Huntington, West Virginia, and developed an interest in broadcasting at an early age. After graduating from Huntington High School in 1983, he attended Marshall University and worked at the school’s radio station, WMUL-FM.
Thornton eventually left West Virginia for Los Angeles. His move marked the beginning of a broadcasting career that would eventually take him to one of America’s most recognizable television programs.
Jim Thornton Age and Early Life
Jim Thornton was born in 1965 in Huntington, West Virginia.
He grew up in the city’s Southside neighborhood and developed an interest in music, performance and broadcasting. While studying at Marshall, he worked at WMUL-FM and gained practical experience behind the microphone.
Although some older biographies have described him as holding a degree from Marshall, the university’s own 2025 profile clarifies that he left before graduating to pursue opportunities in Los Angeles. He nevertheless remains closely connected to the university.
In 2025, Marshall named him its Homecoming Grand Marshal. The following year, he returned to campus as the featured speaker for the university’s 2026 spring commencement.
Jim Thornton Career
Thornton began his professional broadcasting career in the early 1980s.
After moving to Los Angeles, he joined KNX 1070 Newsradio as a traffic reporter in 1985. He later moved into news anchoring and eventually became an afternoon drive news co-anchor.
His career also included radio work, television announcing and voiceover projects. He worked on programs such as The Price Is Right, Celebrity Deathmatch and The Soup. He also provided voice work connected to Monsters, Inc. and the Oscar-nominated animated short Let’s Pollute.
These opportunities helped establish him as a recognizable professional voice in Southern California.
Jim Thornton and Wheel of Fortune
Thornton’s biggest television role came in 2011.
Following the death of longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer Charlie O’Donnell in 2010, the show searched for his successor. Thornton auditioned and was eventually selected.
Sony announced him as the show’s new announcer on June 13, 2011. He officially began full-time with the show’s 29th season later that year.
For roughly 15 years, his voice became part of the show’s familiar format. He introduced hosts and contestants, delivered prize announcements and helped warm up studio audiences.
He continued in the role after Pat Sajak retired as host. Ryan Seacrest subsequently took over hosting duties alongside Vanna White.
Thornton also became the announcer for Celebrity Wheel of Fortune in 2021.
Why Was Jim Thornton Suspended?
Sony Pictures Television suspended Thornton on September 1, 2026.
The company said it had recently become aware of allegations concerning him. It also said the show was recasting the announcer position while it conducted a thorough investigation.
The studio has not publicly disclosed what the allegations involve.
Multiple reports have linked the investigation to an incident aboard an American Airlines flight in May. According to those reports, a passenger raised concerns about Thornton to flight attendants. The pilot contacted authorities, who met him after the flight landed in Los Angeles.
Importantly, the available reports do not establish criminal wrongdoing. Thornton’s attorney has specifically denied that he was arrested or charged and said officers quickly determined that no wrongdoing had occurred.
A September 1 episode also created some confusion because Thornton appeared in a prerecorded Wheel of Fortune broadcast despite the suspension announcement. The show’s episodes are typically recorded well before they air.
Who Is Jim Thornton’s Wife?
Jim Thornton is married to Sue Thornton.
The couple has kept much of their personal life away from the entertainment spotlight. Thornton has publicly celebrated their marriage, including an anniversary tribute in which he referred to Sue as the person who changed his life by agreeing to marry him.
They have been married since 1991.
Does Jim Thornton Have Children?
Yes. Jim and Sue Thornton have one son named Sam.
The family has largely maintained a private life. However, Thornton has spoken publicly about supporting the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation after his son was diagnosed with Type 1 diabetes in 2009.
Jim Thornton’s Other Work
Although Wheel of Fortune made him nationally recognizable, broadcasting remains the foundation of Thornton’s career.
His work has included radio news, traffic reporting, television announcing, voice acting and commercial voiceovers.
His credits include work connected to The Price Is Right, Monsters, Inc., The Cleveland Show, Rugrats, The Drew Carey Show, The Soup and other television and entertainment projects.
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Jim Thornton FAQs
How old is Jim Thornton?
Jim Thornton was born in 1965, making him 61 years old in 2026.
Is Jim Thornton still the announcer of Wheel of Fortune?
He has been suspended from the program while Sony Pictures Television investigates allegations concerning him. The studio said it is recasting the announcer role during the investigation.
How long has Jim Thornton been on Wheel of Fortune?
Thornton became the show’s full-time announcer in 2011. His tenure has lasted approximately 15 years.
Who was Jim Thornton’s predecessor?
He succeeded Charlie O’Donnell, the longtime Wheel of Fortune announcer who died in 2010.
Who is Jim Thornton’s wife?
His wife is Sue Thornton. They married in 1991 and have one son.
Does Jim Thornton have children?
Yes. He and Sue have a son named Sam.
Was Jim Thornton arrested?
His attorney says he was not arrested and was not charged with a crime. According to the attorney, law enforcement questioned him briefly after the May flight incident and released him.
Conclusion
Jim Thornton built a decades-long broadcasting career before becoming the familiar voice of Wheel of Fortune in 2011.
His work in radio, television and voice acting established him as a respected announcer long before he became associated with the game show.
Today, however, his career is facing an uncertain moment. Sony Pictures Television has suspended him while it investigates allegations connected to him. The studio has not disclosed their nature, while his attorney maintains that Thornton committed no illegal conduct.
For now, his 15-year association with Wheel of Fortune remains a major part of his professional legacy, even as viewers await the outcome of the investigation.
