Wink Martindale, TV icon and Elvis Presley’s close friend, dies at 91
Wink Martindale, iconic TV host of 'Tic-Tac-Dough' (Photo: Getty Images)
Iconic American game show host Wink Martindale has passed away at the age of 91, Fox News reports.
Career that defined television history
Wink Martindale, the beloved host behind such classics as Tic-Tac-Dough, High Rollers, and Gambit, died peacefully surrounded by family, including his wife of 49 years, Sandra.
With a remarkable 74-year career in the entertainment industry, Martindale became a fixture in American households and a symbol of TV’s golden age.
Beyond his hosting legacy, he was also known for his friendship with Elvis Presley, whom he first met in 1954.
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Wink Martindale and Elvis Presley in the 1950s (Photo: https://www.facebook.com/)
In a 2019 interview, Martindale recalled: "He was a great giver. If he was your friend, he was your friend until the day you died... He gave away literally millions and millions of dollars to charitable organizations not only in this country but all over the world."
Sandra Martindale, who once dated Presley, even credited the music legend for leading her to Wink.
"Elvis is responsible for me marrying Wink," she said in a 2015 interview, noting that Tennessee, their shared home state, left her with fond associations thanks to Presley’s lasting impact on her life.
Wink Martindale with his wife Sandra (Photo: Getty Images)
The man behind the name and the charm
Born Winston Martindale in Jackson, Tennessee, the nickname "Wink" was born out of a childhood speech impediment from a friend who couldn’t pronounce his full name.
That simple mispronunciation would later become a beloved TV name. "It served me well," he told ABC News in 2014.
Over the decades, Martindale also hosted The Last Word, Trivial Pursuit, Debt, and Instant Recall, leaving an indelible mark on generations of viewers.
He is survived by his wife Sandra, daughters Lisa, Lyn, and Laura, grandchildren and great-grandchildren, an honorary son Eric, and his beloved Chihuahua, Dude.
Martindale’s passing follows the recent loss of another iconic media figure. In March, Eddie Jordan, Formula One pioneer and television pundit, died at 76 after a battle with cancer.
