Wink Martindale, whose name became widely associated with television game shows and American radio, died Tuesday at his home in Rancho Mirage, California. He was 91.
Martindale hosted some of television’s best-known game shows, including Tic-Tac-Dough, Gambit, and High Rollers. A representative for his family confirmed the news, stating he died surrounded by relatives and his wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale.
Born Winston Conrad Martindale on December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, he entered broadcasting at 17, working at local radio station WPLI. That first job came through a former Sunday school teacher who managed the station and hired him at $25 a week.
In the early 1950s, Martindale moved to Memphis to work at WHBQ. He hosted a children’s science fiction show called Wink Martindale of Mars Patrol and a dance program known as Top Ten Dance Party. During his time at WHBQ, he played a role in securing Elvis Presley’s first-ever radio interview. On July 10, 1954, Martindale helped bring Presley into the studio shortly after his debut single, “That’s All Right,” aired.
Martindale’s friendship with Presley continued through the years. His wife, Sandy, appeared in several Presley films and had dated the singer before his marriage to Priscilla Wagner.
Martindale found short-lived success as a recording artist. His 1959 spoken-word track “Deck of Cards” reached the top 10 on the Billboard Hot 100 and the UK Singles Chart. It sold over a million copies. That same year, he relocated to Los Angeles and began a long stretch on the radio dial, working at KHJ, KRLA, KFWB, and KMPC, among other stations.
By the 1960s, he was increasingly active on television. His first national game show appearance came in 1964 with NBC’s What’s This Song? He went on to host 20 different game shows, a total surpassed only by Bill Cullen. Martindale’s most prominent role came with Tic-Tac-Dough, which he led for seven seasons. Later projects included Headline Chasers, Debt, Trivial Pursuit, and Instant Recall. He also produced shows, working with figures such as Merv Griffin.
Martindale frequently spoke about the importance of connecting with contestants, calling interpersonal ease an essential trait for hosting. “A good host is a person who loves people,” he told the Television Academy Foundation in 2017.
He remained active in broadcasting well into his later years, appearing in television specials, commercials, and interviews. He was featured in ads for Orbitz and KFC and took part in retrospective game show features. His image and style were widely parodied, including in Cheech & Chong’s 1970 debut album, where he was spoofed under the name “Wink Dickerson.”
Martindale also spent years supporting causes through televised charity events. He produced and hosted telethons for cerebral palsy and St. Jude Children’s Hospital. His work was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and a Beale Street Note on Memphis’ Walk of Fame in 2024. The University of Memphis honored him with a Distinguished Alumni Award in 2015.
He is survived by his wife Sandra; daughters Lisa, Lyn, and Laura; sister Geraldine; an honorary son named Eric; and a large extended family.
