Winston Conrad “Wink” Martindale, the iconic television and radio personality best known for hosting popular game shows such as Tic-Tac-Dough Gambit and High Rollers, died on April 15, 2025, in Rancho Mirage, California, at the age of 91. His death brought an end to a remarkable 74-year career in radio, television and music that left an indelible mark on the entertainment industry.
According to his publicist, Brian Mayes, Martindale passed away after a year-long battle with lymphoma, surrounded by loved ones, including his wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale. Although he had been in good health until just a few weeks before his passing, no official cause of death was given other than a cancer diagnosis.
Born on December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, Martindale got his nickname “Wink” from a childhood friend who struggled to pronounce “Winston” because of a speech impediment. His career began at age 17 as a radio DJ at WPLI in Jackson, where he earned $25 a week. He later moved to WHBQ in Memphis, where he hosted a morning radio show and a children’s TV program, *Wink Martindale of Mars Patrol*.
It was also in Memphis that Martindale forged a lifelong friendship with Elvis Presley, whom he met in 1954. Presley appeared on Martindale’s *Teenage Dance Party* in 1956, and their connection deepened over the years, with Martindale hosting a national radio program in tribute to Presley after his death in 1977. Martindale’s wife, Sandy, had briefly dated Presley, a connection that added a personal layer to their friendship
Martindale’s television career began in the 1960s when he moved to Los Angeles, where he hosted game shows such as *What’s This Song? and Words and Music* for NBC, followed by national fame in 1972 with Gambit* on CBS. His most notable role was hosting Tic-Tac-Dough from 1978 to 1985, which established him as a game show veteran. Known for his distinctive voice, bold sport coat and affable demeanor, Martindale hosted more than 20 game shows, a feat surpassed only by Bill Cullen.
He also formed Wink Martindale Enterprises in 1985, which produced shows such as *Headline Chasers*. His contributions earned him a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and induction into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007. Martindale’s influence extended to pop culture, most notably inspiring a Cheech & Chong parody in 1970, where he was mockingly referred to as “Wink Dickerson”. Tributes poured in after his death, with Game Show Network calling him a “true legend”.
Posts on X reflected public sentiment, mourning the loss of a “relic of a bygone era” whose charm defined game show television. Martindale’s legacy as a trailblazer bridging radio and television lives on, celebrated for his charisma, adaptability, and connections with cultural figures like Presley. He is survived by his wife, three daughters, grandchildren, and an honorary son, Eric.