Jim Thornton, the longtime announcer of “Wheel of Fortune,” has been suspended from his role with the popular game show.
Read more ‘Truly Sick’: MAGA Is Flipping Out Over Anne Hathaway’s ‘Human’ Take On Reproductive Rights
“We have recently been made aware of allegations concerning Jim Thornton,” a Sony Pictures Television spokesperson said in a statement sent to numerous outlets. “He has been suspended from ‘Wheel of Fortune,’ and we are recasting while we conduct a thorough investigation.”
TMZ was the first to report the suspension.
The Sony rep did not disclose the exact reason for Thornton’s suspension, but after TMZ published an anonymously sourced report saying the allegations stemmed from an incident aboard a plane in May, Thornton’s lawyer released a statement to the website.
Thornton “did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime,” his attorney told TMZ. “When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight, 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.”
Read more Lindsay Clancy Trial Latest, JD Vance White House Briefing: Live Updates
It’s unclear whether any episodes with Thornton had already been taped and might air after the new season premieres on Sept. 14. Sony did not immediately respond to a request for comment from HuffPost.
However, Deadline said the recasting could be temporary depending on the results of the investigation.
Thornton had been a part of “Wheel of Fortune” since 2011, after the death of the previous announcer, Charlie O’Donnell. Besides “Wheel,” his credits include “Monsters, Inc.,” “WALL-E” and “The Cleveland Show.”
Read more Travis Kelce Explains Why He And Taylor Swift Got Married At Madison Square Garden
Leave a Reply