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Wink Martindale, a celebrated figure in broadcasting and television, renowned for his charismatic presence as a game show host and radio personality, has passed away at the age of 91. The iconic entertainer died on April 15, 2025, at his residence in Rancho Mirage, California, according to an official announcement.
Born Winston Conrad Martindale, the amiable media personality, affectionately known as “Wink,” became a beloved presence in American homes for decades. Martindale achieved lasting fame as the host of numerous popular game shows, notably including Gambit, Tic-Tac-Dough, High Rollers, and Debt.
Remembering Wink Martindale’s Early Career
Discovery of Elvis Presley
Martindale’s journey in show business began in radio broadcasting at the young age of 17 in his hometown of Jackson, Tennessee. His career progressed when he secured a position at WHBQ radio in Memphis, Tennessee.
In a significant moment in music history in 1954 at WHBQ, Martindale was present when fellow DJ Dewey Phillips first broadcast Elvis Presley’s debut single, That’s All Right. Following repeated airplay, they invited the initially hesitant young musician, who later became a global superstar, to the station.
“He felt anxious about his record being played on the radio and had gone to the cinema,” Martindale recounted in a 2018 interview. “They located him at the theater alone and brought him to the station. Dewey placed him before a microphone and began interviewing him. That was the night I met Elvis. He became a friend and remained so until his passing.”
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Musical Success with ‘Deck of Cards’
Chart-Topping Spoken Word Record
In 1959, Martindale ventured into music, releasing a spoken-word performance of Deck of Cards. This narrative song, depicting a soldier’s use of playing cards as a religious text, unexpectedly soared in popularity. The single reached the No. 7 position on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and achieved gold record status with over a million copies sold.
Hollywood Recognition
Star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame
In acknowledgement of his extensive and impactful career in television and radio, Martindale received a prestigious star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006.
Personal Life
Nearly Five Decades of Marriage
Martindale’s personal life included a long and devoted marriage to Sandra “Sandy” Martindale for 49 years, with their wedding taking place in 1975.
Prior to this, he was married to Madelyn Leech from 1954 to 1972. This earlier marriage resulted in four children: daughters Lisa, Madelyn, and Laura, and son Wink Jr., who sadly predeceased him.
Wink Martindale’s Death: Battle with Lymphoma
Cause of Death Revealed
According to reports from TMZ, Martindale had been privately fighting lymphoma for approximately a year. The news outlet reported on April 15th that his condition, which had been stable for much of the preceding period, deteriorated notably in the two weeks leading up to his death. He was admitted to a hospital for medical care following a rapid decline in his health, as confirmed by his representative, Brian Mayes.