Radio and television legend Wink Martindale passed away on Tuesday (15) at the age of 91, surrounded by his family and his wife Sandra, with whom he shared nearly five decades of marriage.
If you grew up watching quiz shows that brought the whole family together in front of the TV, you’ve certainly heard of him. Wink Martindale, the charismatic host of Tic-Tac-Dough, Gambit, and dozens of other legendary game shows, had a 74-year career that spanned generations — and shaped the history of television.
Wink began his career in radio as a teenager at the age of 17 and witnessed one of the most iconic moments in music history: in 1954, it was he who called the mother of Elvis Presley and invited the young singer to WHBQ radio — where Elvis gave his very first interview after his song was played on air for the first time. Yes, Wink was a firsthand witness to the birth of rock ’n’ roll!
And he didn’t stop there: he also scored a hit with his spoken-word song Deck of Cards (1959), which sold over one million copies and reached the Top 10 on both the US and UK charts.
On television, his unmistakable charm shone through as he hosted dozens of programs that became pop culture staples in the U.S. Words and Music, High Rollers, Trivial Pursuit, Debt, and many others made Wink a familiar face on screens throughout the 60s, 70s, 80s and beyond. He also produced the show Headline Chasers and appeared in recent ad campaigns — including one alongside actor Rob Lowe in a KFC commercial.
In 2006, he received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. In 2024, he was honored on Memphis’s Beale Street for his historical contribution to music and entertainment. And yes, he was one of the first inductees into the American Game Show Hall of Fame.
He is survived by his wife Sandra, his daughters Lisa, Lyn, and Laura, his sister Geraldine, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, a “son at heart” named Eric — and his loyal chihuahua named Dude.
Photos: Wikimedia. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
