Wink Martindale, a radio and television entertainer known to audiences as host of classic game shows including “Tic-Tac-Dough” and “Gambit,” has died.

Something about his charm

Wink Martindale was more than just a familiar face on TV — he was a voice of comfort, excitement, and joy for so many Americans growing up.

People still remember the thrill of watching Tic-Tac-Dough, the fun of Headline Chasers, and the fast-paced energy of High Rollers. But Gambit… that one hit differently. That was the show that truly stuck with people. There was just something about Wink’s charm and the way he brought the game to life that made it feel personal — like he was inviting you into something special.

Winston Conrad Martindale was born on December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee. He got his start in broadcasting early, working as a disc jockey at just 17 years old at WPLI in his hometown, pulling in $25 a week.

Reflecting on how he got his famous nickname, he shared with ABC News in 2014, “When I was a kid in Jackson, Tenn., one of my playmates, Jimmy McCord, couldn’t say ‘Winston,’ which is my given name, and he had a speech impediment, and it came out sounding like ‘Winky.’ So Winston turned into Winky, and then I got into the business and Wink!”

Martindale’s early career wasn’t just about spinning records. He made his TV debut hosting Mars Patrol, a sci-fi-themed children’s show on WHBQ-TV. But it was clear from the beginning — Wink was made for showbiz, whether behind the mic or in front of the camera.

His first big break came in 1972 when he became the host of a brand-new game show on CBS called Gambit. The show turned out to be a hit, and Martindale stayed on as emcee for four years.

Inside his friendship with Elvis Presley

Before Wink became a game show legend, he found himself in the middle of rock ’n’ roll history — and it all started with his good friend, Elvis Presley.

It was the evening of July 10, 1954, and Martindale was giving some friends a tour of the WHBQ radio studio in Memphis. That’s when he noticed something unusual: phone lines lighting up like crazy during his colleague Dewey Phillips’ 9 p.m. show. The reason? A brand new track was making waves — Elvis Presley’s very first record, “That’s All Right.”

The song had been recorded just five days earlier at Sun Studio by producer Sam Phillips (no relation to Dewey). Sam had delivered the record to WHBQ on July 6, and by July 10, it was making a major splash with listeners. Dewey wanted to interview Elvis on-air right away, but there was just one problem — no one could find him.

So Wink picked up the phone and called the Presley household. Elvis’ mom, Gladys, answered and explained that her son was so nervous about how the song would be received, he’d gone to a movie to calm down. Wink urged her to bring him down to the studio — and she did.

Elvis showed up with his parents, and Dewey sat him down for an interview. The best part? Elvis didn’t even know he was live on the air. Wink would later recall that Elvis admitted he probably couldn’t have spoken if he had known — that’s how shy he was back then.

This wasn’t just a footnote in music history — it was the moment that helped launch Elvis Presley into stardom. And Wink Martindale was right there to witness it.

The thing that surprised him with Elvis

What truly stood out to Wink Martindale about his longtime friend Elvis Presley wasn’t just the fame or the music — it was his generosity.

“The thing that surprised him most about Presley was that Presley was a giver,” Martindale once said.

”Very few people knew that he gave away literally millions and millions of dollars to charitable organizations not only in this country but all over the world,” he shared.

Before tying the knot with Martindale in 1975, Wink’s wife, Sandra, had dated Elvis Presley on and off — just prior to his marriage to Priscilla in 1967.

But in a surprising twist of fate, Sandra credited the King himself for leading her to the love of her life.

“Elvis is responsible for me marrying Wink,” she revealed in a 2015 interview, as reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

”When [Martindale] said he was from Tennessee, I said, ‘He must be a nice guy,’ because I loved the state. I loved all the guys. I loved everything in the state of Tennessee because Elvis was such a wonderful part of my life.”

Wink Martindale cause of death

Wink stayed active in the entertainment world well into his later years. One of the final projects of his career was hosting the nationally and internationally syndicated radio show The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll — a two-hour weekend program that looked back on the music of the 1960s, 1970s, and 1980s. At the time, Martindale was 88 years old.

Sadly, Wink Martindale’s remarkable life came to an end on April 15, 2025. He passed away from lymphoma at a hospital in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 91. Surrounded by family — including his beloved wife Sandra — Martindale left behind a legacy that spanned an incredible 74 years in Hollywood.

He is survived by his daughters Lisa, Lyn, and Laura, his grandchildren and great-grandchildren, his “honorary” son Eric, and his cherished Chihuahua, Dude.

Wink Martindale’s legacy as a game show host isn’t just measured by the games he hosted, but by the memories he created and the joy he brought into so many homes.

He wasn’t just a host — he was a friend, a constant presence that made you feel like part of the show. And even though the shows may be over, Wink’s mark on TV history will always have a place in our hearts. RIP!