Wink Martindale, iconic host of 'Tic-Tac-Dough' and 'Gambit,' dies at 91
The news was confirmed on Tuesday via his official Facebook page, with a tribute calling him 'amazing, funny and talented. Truly a LEGEND!'
With a career spanning more than seven decades, Martindale was a major figure in both radio and television. He began his journey as a radio DJ at age 17, rising to prominence at Memphis station WHBQ. In 1954, he played a pivotal role in Elvis Presley's early career, calling Elvis' mother after hearing his debut track and helping arrange one of the singer's first interviews.
Martindale also had a brief but successful music career of his own. His spoken-word single Deck of Cards reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies.
In the 1960s, he transitioned to television in Los Angeles, working with KHJ and several other major radio stations before landing his first TV hosting job in 1964 with What's This Song?. His game show career took off with hits like Gambit, Words and Music, and Tic-Tac-Dough, where his charm and signature voice made him a household name.
He also hosted other shows including The Last Word, Headline Chasers, Trivial Pursuit, and The Great Getaway Game, cementing his legacy as a staple of American game show history.
Martindale is remembered as a pioneering entertainer who helped define a genre that captivated generations.
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