www.wheeloffortune.com | Facebook | Twitter | Instagram | YouTube | TikTok

JIM THORNTON

Jim Thornton is the announcer for Wheel of Fortune and Celebrity Wheel of Fortune. Since his start with the show in 2011, Thornton has become a popular figure among fans, especially on the game show’s social media platforms.

One of the most popular and distinctive voices in Southern California, Thornton has been a part of KNX 1070 Newsradio since 1985. He began by providing traffic reports through the syndicated service, “Metro Traffic.” He later became a full-time morning traffic anchor for both KNX and CBS2 News, and in 2005, was promoted to afternoon drive news co-anchor on KNX.

Thornton began his broadcast career in 1983 in his hometown of Huntington, W. Va. at WOWK-TV while attending Marshall University. A year later, he moved to California and by 1989, he had his own morning show on Magic 94.3 FM in the San Fernando Valley. In 1992, Thornton became a “Hot Country” disc jockey for Westwood One Radio Networks, hosting a live music broadcast from coast to coast. From 1995 to 1999, he was the voice of Channel 13, KCOP-TV, in Los Angeles.

Over the course of his career, Thornton has received numerous broadcasting accolades including the Edward R. Murrow award, Golden Mike awards and an Emmy. He also lent his voice to the 2011 Oscar-Nominated Short Animated Film, “Let’s Pollute.” Viewers may also recognize his voice from his diverse body of voiceover work including Disney’s “Monsters, Inc.” and "Celebrity Deathmatch." He's been heard in numerous TV and radio commercials as well.

Thornton lives in Los Angeles, but he and his wife Sue have a historic home they visit often in Jim's native Ohio Valley. They both have a passion for old houses, so renovations and restorations keep them busy. Their current project is his family's historic Federal-era home on the banks of The Ohio River. The old brick building served as the local post office and is believed to have been a stop on The Underground Railroad prior to The Civil War. The couple hopes to preserve it for future generations to appreciate.

###