Wink Martindale, a household name in classic game shows and a familiar voice on American radio, has passed away at the age of 91. The legendary host, known for his warm smile and effortless charisma, died Tuesday at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, California, after a year-long battle with lymphoma. His publicist, Brian Mayes, confirmed the news.
“He was doing pretty well up until a couple weeks ago,” Mayes shared, reflecting on the final days of a man who spent more than seven decades entertaining America.
Born Winston Conrad Martindale in Jackson, Tennessee, on December 4, 1933, Wink knew from a young age that his future lay in broadcasting. By age 17, he was already a disc jockey, earning $25 a week at local station WPLI. That passion for performance and quick thinking would lead him to become one of the most enduring and beloved hosts in the television industry.
Despite his diverse career, Wink Martindale’s role as a game show host solidified his reputation as a cultural icon. He first made waves with the CBS hit “Gambit,” which launched in 1972, the same day as “The Price Is Right” and “The Joker’s Wild.” His easygoing style made the card game show an instant favourite with viewers. Wink attributed its success to a simple principle: “KISS – Keep It Simple, Stupid.”
“Everybody knows how to play 21, i.e. blackjack,” he wrote in his 2000 memoir, Winking at Life. The show’s popularity soared until 1976, when it was ultimately overtaken by a newcomer—“Wheel of Fortune.”
But Martindale bounced back in 1978 with “Tic-Tac-Dough,” a quiz show based on the classic X’s and O’s format. It became another smash hit, running until 1985. During that time, Wink presided over one of the most unforgettable moments in game show history: the 88-game winning streak of Navy Lt. Thom McKee. McKee took home over $300,000 in cash and prizes, including eight cars and multiple vacations—setting a record at the time.
“I love working with contestants, interacting with the audience, and, to a degree, watching lives change,” Martindale once said. “Winning a lot of cash can cause that to happen.”
Across his career, Wink estimated he hosted nearly two dozen game shows, including “Debt,” “Instant Recall,” and “High Rollers.” He also founded Wink Martindale Enterprises, producing his own shows like “Headline Chasers” and the cross-border hit “Bumper Stumpers.”
But Wink’s impact extended beyond television. As a radio personality, he helped shape the golden age of rock ‘n’ roll. In 1954, he was in the studio at WHBQ when DJ Dewey Phillips played Elvis Presley’s first record, “That’s All Right.” Just two years later, Wink invited the rising star onto his TV show “Top Ten Dance Party,” marking one of Presley’s first televised interviews. That relationship endured, with Martindale even conducting a trans-Atlantic call with Elvis while the singer was stationed in Germany with the U.S. Army.
Wink’s wife of 49 years, Sandy Martindale, also had a brush with Elvis—briefly dating him after meeting on the set of G.I. Blues. The couple shared a deep love for entertainment and raised a blended family that includes three daughters. Wink’s son from a previous marriage, Wink Jr., preceded him in death.
Martindale’s versatility shone throughout his life. In 1959, he recorded a spoken-word hit, “Deck of Cards,” which sold over a million copies and peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100. He also appeared on The Ed Sullivan Show, showcasing his dramatic storytelling talent.
Recently, he returned to his roots with syndicated radio programs like The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll and The 100 Greatest Christmas Hits of All Time. In 2017, he even showed off his playful side in a KFC ad campaign alongside Rob Lowe.
A message posted to his official Facebook page captured the sentiments of many fans: “It’s with a very sad and heavy heart that we here at Wink Martindale Games have to report the passing of the legendary Wink Martindale. Wink was amazing, funny, and talented. Truly a LEGEND!”
Wink Martindale leaves behind a legacy that shaped American entertainment across generations. Whether behind a microphone or a podium, he brought charm, sincerity, and joy to every moment.
