Jim Thornton fired from Wheel of Fortune following chat room investigation

Sony Pictures Television has terminated the employment of ‘Wheel of Fortune’ announcer Jim Thornton, effective immediately, following an investigation into his presence in an online chat room.

The decision follows reports from TMZ, which published photographs showing Thornton on a laptop during an American Airlines flight in May. The images appeared to show Thornton participating in a chat room that described itself as a support space for individuals attracted to children. The photos also captured messages from other users discussing minors and using shorthand for child pornography.

Thornton’s attorney, Allison Hart, stated that Thornton has been a suicide-prevention advocate and claimed he was visiting crisis chat rooms to offer support. Thornton reportedly alleged that an acquaintance from a suicide prevention group sent him a link to an unrelated, non-crisis chat room and that he left the room quickly once he realized its nature.

Former contestant Joshua Beach expressed support for Thornton on social media, describing him as a hero and urging others to withhold judgment until any potential criminal evidence is established.