Why Was the 15-Year Host of U.S. 'Wheel of Fortune' Suddenly Fired? ... "Viewed Pedophilia Chat on Flight"

Jim Thornton, Host of "Wheel of Fortune" for 15 Years
Dismissed Despite Explanation: "Opened the Link Unknowingly"

Jim Thornton, the announcer and host of the long-running American quiz show "Wheel of Fortune," has ultimately stepped down from the program due to controversies surrounding child molestation.

National long-running quiz show "Wheel of Fortune" announcer Jim Thornton has ultimately stepped down from the program due to controversies surrounding child molestation. Getty Images

On September 5, Yonhap News quoted a report from the previous day by the Los Angeles Times (LAT), stating that Sony Pictures Television ended its employment contract with Thornton for "Wheel of Fortune." Sony Pictures suspended Thornton on September 1 and launched an investigation, then dismissed him on September 4, three days later. The company did not disclose the specific grounds for the dismissal.

"Wheel of Fortune" is a representative American quiz show that began in 1975 and is currently airing on ABC. Thornton had served as the show's announcer for 15 years since 2011.

Thornton’s sudden dismissal is reportedly due to recent child-related allegations raised by entertainment outlet TMZ. According to TMZ, in May, Thornton was spotted on an American Airlines flight from Charlotte, North Carolina to Los Angeles, California, viewing a chat room related to pedophilia on his laptop. A passenger seated near Thornton photographed this scene and reported it to the flight attendants.

Jim Thornton, the announcer of the long-running American quiz show "Wheel of Fortune." "Wheel of Fortune" social media screenshot, Yonhap News Photo by Yonhap

Regarding this, Thornton explained, "An acquaintance I met at a suicide prevention group sent me a link to that chat room," and claimed, "I opened it without knowing what it was." He added, "After checking the nature of the chat room, I left immediately." However, LAT reported that based on the timestamp on the photo, it appears Thornton remained in the chat room for about an hour.

Thornton's attorney, Allison Hart, stated, "My client did not engage in any illegal activity and has not been charged with or arrested for any crimes."

Thornton has worked as a reporter and announcer at KNX 1070 Newsradio and KCBS TV, and he has also done voice acting for animated films such as "Monsters, Inc." and the video game "Wall-E." In 2011, he became the signature voice of "Wheel of Fortune," succeeding longtime announcer Charlie O'Donnell after his passing in 2010. On the program, Thornton primarily introduced participants and prizes, and he also appeared as the announcer on "Celebrity Wheel of Fortune."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.