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Express Tribune
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Express Tribune
Wink Martindale, iconic host of 'Tic-Tac-Dough' and 'Gambit,' dies at 91
Wink Martindale, the legendary game show host known for classics like Tic-Tac-Dough, Gambit, and High Rollers, has died at the age of 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.
Boston Globe
16-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Boston Globe
Wink Martindale, the genial game-show host and an early TV interviewer of Elvis Presley, dies at 91
'Gambit' debuted on the same day in September 1972 as 'The Price is Right' with Bob Barker and 'The Joker's Wild' with Jack Barry. 'From the day it hit the air, 'Gambit' spelled winner, and it taught me a basic tenant of any truly successful game show: KISS! Keep It Simple Stupid,' Mr. Martindale wrote in his 2000 memoir 'Winking at Life.' 'Like playing Old Maids as a kid, everybody knows how to play 21, i.e. blackjack.' Advertisement 'Gambit' had been beating its competition on NBC and ABC for over two years. But a new show debuted in 1975 on NBC called 'Wheel of Fortune.' By December 1976, 'Gambit' was off the air and 'Wheel of Fortune' became an institution that is still going strong today. Get Starting Point A guide through the most important stories of the morning, delivered Monday through Friday. Enter Email Sign Up Mr. Martindale bounced back in 1978 with 'Tic-Tac-Dough,' the classic X's and O's game on CBS that ran until 1985. 'Overnight I had gone from the outhouse to the penthouse,' he wrote. He presided over the 88-game winning streak of Navy Lieutenant Thom McKee, who earned over $300,000 in cash and prizes that included eight cars, three sailboats, and 16 vacation trips. At the time, McKee's winnings were a record for a game show contestant. Advertisement 'I love working with contestants, interacting with the audience and to a degree, watching lives change,' Mr. Martindale wrote. 'Winning a lot of cash can cause that to happen.' Mr. Martindale wrote that producer Dan Enright once told him that in the seven years he hosted 'Tic-Tac-Dough' he gave away over $7 million in cash and prizes. Mr. Martindale said his many years as a radio DJ were helpful to him as a game show host because radio often calls for ad-libs and he learned to handle almost any situation in the spur of the moment. He estimated that he hosted nearly two dozen game shows during his career. Mr. Martindale wrote in his memoir that the question he got asked most often was 'Is Wink your real name?' The second was 'How did you get into game shows?' He got his nickname from a childhood friend. Born Winston Conrad Martindale on Dec. 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tenn., he loved radio since childhood and at age 6 would read aloud the contents of advertisements in Life magazine. He began his career as a disc jockey at age 17 at WPLI in his hometown, earning $25 a week. He hosted mornings at WHBQ in Memphis while attending Memphis State. He was married and the father of two girls when he graduated in 1957. Mr. Martindale was in the studio, although not working on-air that night, when the first Presley record 'That's All Right' was played on WHBQ on July 8, 1954. Mr. Martindale approached fellow DJ Dewey Phillips, who had given Presley an early break by playing his song, to ask him and Presley to do a joint interview on Mr. Martindale's TV show 'Top Ten Dance Party' in 1956. By then, Presley had become a major star and agreed to the appearance. Advertisement Mr. Martindale and Presley stayed in touch on occasion through the years, and in 1959 he did a trans-Atlantic telephone interview with Presley, who was in the Army in Germany. Mr. Martindale's second wife, Sandy, briefly dated Presley after meeting him on the set of 'G.I. Blues' in 1960. In 1959, Mr. Martindale moved to Los Angeles to host a morning show on KHJ. That same year he reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart with a cover version of 'Deck of Cards,' which sold over 1 million copies. He performed the spoken word wartime story with religious overtones on 'The Ed Sullivan Show.' 'I could easily have thought, 'Wow, this is easy! I come out here, go on radio and TV, make a record and everybody wants to buy it!' he wrote. 'Even if I entertained such thoughts, they soon dissipated. I learned in due time that what had happened to me was far from the ordinary.' A year later he moved to the morning show at KRLA and to KFWB in 1962. Among his many other radio gigs were two separate stints at KMPC, owned by actor Gene Autry. His first network hosting job was on NBC's 'What's This Song?' where he was credited as Win Martindale from 1964-65. He later hosted two Chuck Barris-produced shows on ABC: 'Dream Girl '67' and 'How's Your Mother-in-Law?' The latter lasted just 13 weeks before being canceled. 'I've jokingly said it came and went so fast, it seemed more like 13 minutes!' Mr. Martindale wrote, explaining that it was the worst show of his career. Advertisement He later hosted a Las Vegas-based revival of 'Gambit' from 1980-81. He formed his own production company, Wink Martindale Enterprises, to develop and produce his own game shows. His first venture was 'Headline Chasers,' a coproduction with Merv Griffin that debuted in 1985 and was canceled after one season. His next show, 'Bumper Stumpers,' ran on US and Canadian television from 1987-1990. He hosted 'Debt' from 1996-98 on Lifetime cable and 'Instant Recall' on GSN in 2010. Mr. Martindale returned to his radio roots in 2012 as host of the nationally syndicated 'The 100 Greatest Christmas Hits of All Time.' In 2021, he hosted syndicated program 'The History of Rock 'n' Roll.' In 2017, he appeared in a KFC ad campaign with actor Rob Lowe. In addition to his wife, he leaves three children Lisa, Madelyn, and Laura and numerous grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his son, Wink Jr. Mr. Martindale's children are from his first marriage, which ended in divorce in 1972.
CNN
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Wink Martindale, beloved host of game shows including ‘Tic-Tac-Dough,' dead at 91
Wink Martindale, a radio and television entertainer known to audiences as host of classic game shows including 'Tic-Tac-Dough' and 'Gambit,' has died. He was 91. Martindale's death was confirmed in a news release from his representative Brian Mayes, who also told CNN he was a family friend. Martindale died Tuesday in Rancho Mirage, California. Born Winston Conrad Martindale in Jackson, Tennessee in 1933, he was transfixed from an early age by the family radio, eventually going on to succeed in the entertainment industry thanks to his talent, demeanor and that booming voice. According to the news release, Martindale started his career as a disc jockey in Jackson at 17, but quickly ascended the ranks to eventually work at WHBQ in Memphis, where in July 1954 Elvis Presley's first record 'That's All Right' was played on the radio for the very first time by a fellow DJ. Due to the immediate and overwhelming demand, the other DJ played the song again and again while Martindale telephoned Presley's mother and asked if Presley could come down to the radio station. The music legend soon arrived at WHBQ for his first interview. After this more than auspicious start, Martindale went on to a remarkable 74-year career, which included him finding gold-record success as a recording artist in his own right. His rendition of the spoken-word song 'Deck of Cards' went to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #5 on the UK Singles Chart, selling more than one million copies in 1959. That same year, Martindale became the morning DJ at KHJ in Los Angeles, moving again a year later to the morning show at KRLA and finally to KFWB in 1962. He enjoyed lengthy stays at many other radio stations, including Gene Autry's KMPC from 1971-1979 and 1983-1987, the release said. Martindale is credited with having broken some of the biggest hits and artists of the 60s and 70s, spinning iconic songs for the first time on his radio shows. Martindale's additional radio credits include 'Hit Parade Radio' and the syndicated programs 'Music of Your Life,' '100 Greatest Christmas Hits of All Time,' 'The History of Rock 'n' Roll,' and recent recurring appearances on 'The Howard Stern Show.' Alongside his radio and music pursuits, Martindale found success on television as well, ultimately becoming a perennial figure as a smiling and debonair game show host. His first break into TV was at WHBQ-TV in Memphis, as the host of 'Mars Patrol,' a science-fiction themed children's television series, and then as host of 'Teenage Dance Party,' where his friend Presley made an appearance in June 1956. His first game-show hosting job came in the mid-1960's, on NBC's 'What's This Song?' followed by NBC's 'Words and Music,' CBS' 'Gambit,' and his biggest success, 'Tic-Tac-Dough.' Martindale also went on to host other popular game shows like 'Headline Chasers,' 'High Rollers,' 'The Last Word,' 'The Great Getaway Game,' 'Trivial Pursuit,' 'Debt,' 'Instant Recall,' and many more. In recent years, he made appearances on programs including 'Most Outrageous Game Show Moments,' 'The Chase,' and 'The Bold and the Beautiful.' In 1985, Martindale became a producer with the launch of the TV game show 'Headline Chasers,' produced in association with Merv Griffin and syndication giant King World. An avid philanthropist, Martindale supported various causes and produced and hosted annual telethons for Cerebral Palsy and St. Jude Children's Hospital, among many other charities. In 2006, Martindale received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2024, he was honored with a Beale Street Note on Memphis, Tennessee's Beale Street Walk of Fame – not far from where in 2015, he was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award by his alma mater, the University of Memphis, according to the news release. Martindale was also one of the first inductees into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame. At the time of his death, Martindale was surrounded by family and his wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale, the release said. Martindale is survived by his wife Sandra, sister Geraldine, his daughters Lisa, Lyn and Laura and a large extended family full of grandchildren and great grandchildren, his honorary son Eric and his beloved Chihuahua, Dude.
CNN
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Wink Martindale, beloved host of game shows including ‘Tic-Tac-Dough,' dead at 91
Wink Martindale, a radio and television entertainer known to audiences as host of classic game shows including 'Tic-Tac-Dough' and 'Gambit,' has died. He was 91. Martindale's death was confirmed in a news release from his representative Brian Mayes, who also told CNN he was a family friend. Martindale died Tuesday in Rancho Mirage, California. Born Winston Conrad Martindale in Jackson, Tennessee in 1933, he was transfixed from an early age by the family radio, eventually going on to succeed in the entertainment industry thanks to his talent, demeanor and that booming voice. According to the news release, Martindale started his career as a disc jockey in Jackson at 17, but quickly ascended the ranks to eventually work at WHBQ in Memphis, where in July 1954 Elvis Presley's first record 'That's All Right' was played on the radio for the very first time by a fellow DJ. Due to the immediate and overwhelming demand, the other DJ played the song again and again while Martindale telephoned Presley's mother and asked if Presley could come down to the radio station. The music legend soon arrived at WHBQ for his first interview. After this more than auspicious start, Martindale went on to a remarkable 74-year career, which included him finding gold-record success as a recording artist in his own right. His rendition of the spoken-word song 'Deck of Cards' went to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #5 on the UK Singles Chart, selling more than one million copies in 1959. That same year, Martindale became the morning DJ at KHJ in Los Angeles, moving again a year later to the morning show at KRLA and finally to KFWB in 1962. He enjoyed lengthy stays at many other radio stations, including Gene Autry's KMPC from 1971-1979 and 1983-1987, the release said. Martindale is credited with having broken some of the biggest hits and artists of the 60s and 70s, spinning iconic songs for the first time on his radio shows. Martindale's additional radio credits include 'Hit Parade Radio' and the syndicated programs 'Music of Your Life,' '100 Greatest Christmas Hits of All Time,' 'The History of Rock 'n' Roll,' and recent recurring appearances on 'The Howard Stern Show.' Alongside his radio and music pursuits, Martindale found success on television as well, ultimately becoming a perennial figure as a smiling and debonair game show host. His first break into TV was at WHBQ-TV in Memphis, as the host of 'Mars Patrol,' a science-fiction themed children's television series, and then as host of 'Teenage Dance Party,' where his friend Presley made an appearance in June 1956. His first game-show hosting job came in the mid-1960's, on NBC's 'What's This Song?' followed by NBC's 'Words and Music,' CBS' 'Gambit,' and his biggest success, 'Tic-Tac-Dough.' Martindale also went on to host other popular game shows like 'Headline Chasers,' 'High Rollers,' 'The Last Word,' 'The Great Getaway Game,' 'Trivial Pursuit,' 'Debt,' 'Instant Recall,' and many more. In recent years, he made appearances on programs including 'Most Outrageous Game Show Moments,' 'The Chase,' and 'The Bold and the Beautiful.' In 1985, Martindale became a producer with the launch of the TV game show 'Headline Chasers,' produced in association with Merv Griffin and syndication giant King World. An avid philanthropist, Martindale supported various causes and produced and hosted annual telethons for Cerebral Palsy and St. Jude Children's Hospital, among many other charities. In 2006, Martindale received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2024, he was honored with a Beale Street Note on Memphis, Tennessee's Beale Street Walk of Fame – not far from where in 2015, he was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award by his alma mater, the University of Memphis, according to the news release. Martindale was also one of the first inductees into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame. At the time of his death, Martindale was surrounded by family and his wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale, the release said. Martindale is survived by his wife Sandra, sister Geraldine, his daughters Lisa, Lyn and Laura and a large extended family full of grandchildren and great grandchildren, his honorary son Eric and his beloved Chihuahua, Dude.
CNN
15-04-2025
- Entertainment
- CNN
Wink Martindale, beloved host of game shows including ‘Tic-Tac-Dough,' dead at 91
Wink Martindale, a radio and television entertainer known to audiences as host of classic game shows including 'Tic-Tac-Dough' and 'Gambit,' has died. He was 91. Martindale's death was confirmed in a news release from his representative Brian Mayes, who also told CNN he was a family friend. Martindale died Tuesday in Rancho Mirage, California. Born Winston Conrad Martindale in Jackson, Tennessee in 1933, he was transfixed from an early age by the family radio, eventually going on to succeed in the entertainment industry thanks to his talent, demeanor and that booming voice. According to the news release, Martindale started his career as a disc jockey in Jackson at 17, but quickly ascended the ranks to eventually work at WHBQ in Memphis, where in July 1954 Elvis Presley's first record 'That's All Right' was played on the radio for the very first time by a fellow DJ. Due to the immediate and overwhelming demand, the other DJ played the song again and again while Martindale telephoned Presley's mother and asked if Presley could come down to the radio station. The music legend soon arrived at WHBQ for his first interview. After this more than auspicious start, Martindale went on to a remarkable 74-year career, which included him finding gold-record success as a recording artist in his own right. His rendition of the spoken-word song 'Deck of Cards' went to #7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and #5 on the UK Singles Chart, selling more than one million copies in 1959. That same year, Martindale became the morning DJ at KHJ in Los Angeles, moving again a year later to the morning show at KRLA and finally to KFWB in 1962. He enjoyed lengthy stays at many other radio stations, including Gene Autry's KMPC from 1971-1979 and 1983-1987, the release said. Martindale is credited with having broken some of the biggest hits and artists of the 60s and 70s, spinning iconic songs for the first time on his radio shows. Martindale's additional radio credits include 'Hit Parade Radio' and the syndicated programs 'Music of Your Life,' '100 Greatest Christmas Hits of All Time,' 'The History of Rock 'n' Roll,' and recent recurring appearances on 'The Howard Stern Show.' Alongside his radio and music pursuits, Martindale found success on television as well, ultimately becoming a perennial figure as a smiling and debonair game show host. His first break into TV was at WHBQ-TV in Memphis, as the host of 'Mars Patrol,' a science-fiction themed children's television series, and then as host of 'Teenage Dance Party,' where his friend Presley made an appearance in June 1956. His first game-show hosting job came in the mid-1960's, on NBC's 'What's This Song?' followed by NBC's 'Words and Music,' CBS' 'Gambit,' and his biggest success, 'Tic-Tac-Dough.' Martindale also went on to host other popular game shows like 'Headline Chasers,' 'High Rollers,' 'The Last Word,' 'The Great Getaway Game,' 'Trivial Pursuit,' 'Debt,' 'Instant Recall,' and many more. In recent years, he made appearances on programs including 'Most Outrageous Game Show Moments,' 'The Chase,' and 'The Bold and the Beautiful.' In 1985, Martindale became a producer with the launch of the TV game show 'Headline Chasers,' produced in association with Merv Griffin and syndication giant King World. An avid philanthropist, Martindale supported various causes and produced and hosted annual telethons for Cerebral Palsy and St. Jude Children's Hospital, among many other charities. In 2006, Martindale received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame, and in 2024, he was honored with a Beale Street Note on Memphis, Tennessee's Beale Street Walk of Fame – not far from where in 2015, he was presented with the Distinguished Alumni Award by his alma mater, the University of Memphis, according to the news release. Martindale was also one of the first inductees into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame. At the time of his death, Martindale was surrounded by family and his wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale, the release said. Martindale is survived by his wife Sandra, sister Geraldine, his daughters Lisa, Lyn and Laura and a large extended family full of grandchildren and great grandchildren, his honorary son Eric and his beloved Chihuahua, Dude.
