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'Wheel of Fortune' Jim Thornton: Pedophile Chat Room Organizer Speaks Out After Airplane Incident

Published: 09/08/2026

The organizers of the online chat room for pedophiles that former "Wheel of Fortune" announcer Jim Thornton was seen using, resulting in his firing, are speaking out about the situation ... TMZ has learned. The website, Lifeline.chat, became a major part of the controversy surrounding Thornton…

'Wheel of Fortune' Back to Business After Jim Thornton’s Firing, Ryan Seacrest All Smiles on Set

Published: 09/08/2026

“Wheel of Fortune” did not use an announcer during its latest taping … following the firing of longtime announcer Jim Thornton after he was allegedly caught on a child-predator website … TMZ has learned. A source close to production tells TMZ … Season 44 rolled cameras Tuesday on the…

Jim Thornton Scrubbed From Marshall University Website After 'Wheel' Firing

Published: 09/08/2026

Jim Thornton is being scrubbed from more than just "Wheel of Fortune" ... his alma mater appears to be distancing itself from him as well ... in the wake of his pedo chatroom scandal. Marshall University appears to have removed multiple references to Thornton from its website ... including…

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Former 'Wheel of Fortune' Contestant Defends Jim Thornton Amid Controversy

Published: 09/08/2026

A former "Wheel of Fortune" contestant is defending Jim Thornton from the online pile-on ... saying people are rushing to brand him a pedophile before all the facts are known. In a lengthy Facebook post, the former contestant -- Joshua Beach -- who calls Thornton one of his heroes -- said he's…

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Ex-'Wheel' Announcer Jim Thornton: Photo Shows 'Panic' After Airline Discovers Pedophile Chat

Published: 09/04/2026

Ex-"Wheel of Fortune" announcer Jim Thornton worried someone saw him in an online chat for pedophiles ... at least according to a photo taken moments after a flight attendant confronted him. TMZ obtained the pic taken back in May by a passenger seated near Thornton on an American Airlines flight.…

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'Wheel of Fortune' Fires Jim Thornton After Pedophile Chatroom Incident

Published: 09/04/2026

Jim Thornton is 86'd from "Wheel of Fortune" ... TMZ has learned Sony Pictures Television Studios dropped the hammer Friday afternoon. A Sony spokesperson tells us ... "Following a thorough investigation, Jim Thornton’s employment with Wheel of Fortune has been terminated, effective…

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Jim Thornton's Facebook Page Disappears After 'Wheel of Fortune' Firing

Published: 09/04/2026

Jim Thornton's Facebook account has gone dark hours after he was fired from "Wheel of Fortune" ... and TMZ has learned the former announcer has also been scrubbed from the game show's social media channels. Thornton's Facebook page was no longer publicly accessible Friday evening. It was active…

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'Wheel of Fortune's' Jim Thornton: See Pedophilia Chatroom Photos Behind Suspension

Published: 09/03/2026

These are the photos that got "Wheel of Fortune" announcer Jim Thornton suspended by the show and grilled by law enforcement. Thornton was on an American Airlines flight back in May from Charlotte to L.A. ... when a passenger eyed his laptop and saw him in a disturbing chatroom. The passenger…

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'Wheel of Fortune' Scrubbing Jim Thornton From Edited Episodes for New Season

Published: 09/02/2026

Jim Thornton is being cut out of the new season of "Wheel of Fortune" amid Sony Pictures Television Studios' investigation into its longtime announcer ... TMZ has learned. Sources familiar with the situation tell TMZ ... the first month of the new season, which premieres September 14, has already…

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'Wheel of Fortune' Announcer Jim Thornton Suspended

Published: 09/01/2026

9/3/2026 4:42 PM PT -- TMZ has obtained photos of pedophilia chatroom messages that led to his suspension. 9:45 PM PT -- Jim Thornton's attorney tells TMZ ... the announcer "did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime. When questioned about the…

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'Wheel of Fortune' Jim Thornton Featured on Tuesday's Rerun Amid Sony Investigation

Published: 09/01/2026

9:45 PM PT -- Jim Thornton's attorney tells TMZ ... the announcer "did not engage in any illegal conduct, was not arrested, and has not been charged with any crime. When questioned about the complaint made by a fellow passenger on the flight, law enforcement spoke to him for five minutes or less,…

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