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Wink Martindale, Iconic TV Game Show Host, Passes Away at 91
Wink Martindale, the esteemed television personality renowned for hosting some of America’s most beloved game shows and conducting an early televised interview with Elvis Presley, has died at the age of 91. The veteran presenter’s career spanned seven decades, leaving an indelible mark on the broadcasting industry. Martindale is survived by his wife of 49 years, Sandy, and his four adult children. He died on Tuesday at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, California, according to his publicist, Brian Mayes.
A Storied Broadcasting Career
Martindale became a household name across America, recognized as the face of numerous successful quiz programs, including Gambit, Tic-Tac-Dough, and High Rollers. His broadcasting journey commenced in 1951 at the age of 19, and he continued to entertain audiences until 2025. Even while contending with lymphoma, he persevered in his presenting duties. Reports indicate that complications arising from this illness contributed to his death. In his 2000 autobiography, Martindale reflected on his experiences with Gambit, stating its immediate success taught him a core principle of successful game shows: “Keep It Simple Stupid”.
Game Show Dominance
His work on Gambit achieved significant ratings success, outperforming competitors on NBC and ABC for over two years during the 1970s. This period solidified his position as a cherished figure in television. Tic-Tac-Dough, the classic game show based on X’s and O’s, aired on CBS for seven years, from 1978 to 1985. Martindale was the host during Navy Lt. Thom McKee’s impressive 88-game winning streak. Lt. McKee won over $300,000 in cash and prizes, including eight automobiles, three sailboats, and 16 vacation packages. At the time, these winnings established a record for a game show contestant.
Tic-Tac-Dough’s Generosity
During his seven-year tenure hosting Tic-Tac-Dough, Martindale awarded more than $7 million in cash and prizes, a remarkable sum for a game show during that era.
Early Radio Days and Elvis Presley
Early in his career, after working at WTJS, Martindale was recruited by Jackson’s other radio station, WDXI, which offered him double his previous salary. He then took on the morning slot at WHBQ in Memphis while attending Memphis State University.
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Witnessing Elvis’s Radio Breakthrough
Martindale was present at radio station WHBQ, though not on air, when Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right” was first played on July 8, 1954. Recognizing an opportunity, Martindale approached DJ Dewey Phillips, who had given Presley his initial break, and proposed a joint interview with Presley on his television program Top Ten Dance Party in 1956. Presley agreed to the interview.
Interactions with “The King”
Over the years, Martindale and Presley maintained occasional contact. In 1959, Martindale conducted a trans-Atlantic telephone interview with Presley, who was serving in the Army in Germany. Notably, Martindale’s second wife, Sandy, briefly dated Presley after they met on the set of the film G.I. Blues in 1960.
Family Legacy
Martindale’s children, Lisa, Madelyn, Laura, and Wink Jr., are from his first marriage to Madelyn Leech, which ended in divorce in 1972. He married Sandy on August 2, 1975.