Renowned Game Show Host Wink Martindale Passes Away
The world of television and radio has lost one of its most iconic figures, as Wink Martindale, famed for his longstanding career as a game show host, has died at the age of 91. The announcement came through a press release stating that Martindale died in Rancho Mirage, California, on Tuesday.
The statement detailed, “On Tuesday, April 15, 2025, in Rancho Mirage, California, the entertainment world said goodbye to Wink Martindale, a legendary figure in radio and television, at the age of 91. Renowned for his roles on game shows such as Tic-Tac-Dough and Gambit, Martindale’s career spanned an impressive 74 years. At the time of his passing, he was in the company of his loving family and his wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale.”
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Born on December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, Winston Conrad “Wink” Martindale kicked off his entertainment career as a disc jockey when he was just 17 years old. He quickly made a name for himself at the WHBQ radio station in Memphis. It was here, on July 10, 1954, that Martindale and fellow DJ Dewey Phillip made broadcast history by playing Elvis Presley’s debut single “That’s All Right” for the first time on air, a moment that prompted an immediate and fervent response from listeners. Martindale even contacted Presley’s mother during the broadcast, which led to Elvis’s first radio interview.
Martindale’s transition to television began while he was still with WHBQ, hosting the children’s sci-fi series Mars Patrol from 1953 to 1955. He also hosted Teenage Dance Party, which featured an appearance by Elvis Presley on June 16, 1956. Martindale’s move into the game show arena began with NBC’s What’s This Song? in 1964, and he continued with a variety of hosting duties on shows such as Words and Music, Gambit, Tic-Tac-Dough, High Rollers, and many others, including The Last Word, The Great Getaway Game, Trivial Pursuit, Debt, Instant Recall, and Headline Chasers, which he also created and co-produced with Merv Griffin.
In addition to his game show fame, Martindale made guest appearances on various television shows, such as Most Outrageous Game Show Moments, The Chase, and The Bold and the Beautiful. He also enjoyed musical success, charting a pop hit in 1959 with “The Deck of Cards” that reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Legacy and Honors
Martindale’s contributions to entertainment were widely recognized. He was one of the inaugural inductees into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame and received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006. In 2024, he was honored with a Beale Street Note on the Beale Street Walk of Fame in Memphis, Tennessee.
He leaves behind his wife Sandra, daughters Lisa, Lyn, and Laura, an honorary son Eric, his sister Geraldine, several grandchildren and great-grandchildren, and his cherished Chihuahua, Dude.
Hi, I’m Emily, a passionate and dedicated member of the Sherburne County Citizen team. With a keen eye for detail and a love for writing, I ensure that the latest celebrity news, major economic trends, and helpful tips for your home are presented in the most engaging and informative way possible. Fun fact: During a particularly exciting news story, I once managed to finish an article in record time, fueled solely by copious amounts of coffee and pure adrenaline!
