America lost a true entertainment legend this week with the passing of Wink Martindale, the beloved game show host whose charm, wit, and unmistakable voice brought joy to millions through classics like “Tic-Tac-Dough,” “High Rollers,” and “Gambit.” Martindale, who died Tuesday at 91 in Rancho Mirage, California, leaves behind a legacy that embodies the wholesome, family-friendly values conservatives hold dear—a stark contrast to today’s often divisive Hollywood culture. Surrounded by his devoted wife of 49 years, Sandra, and his loving family, Martindale’s life was a testament to hard work, faith, and the enduring American spirit.
Born Winston Conrad Martindale on December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, he earned his nickname “Wink” from a childhood friend’s speech impediment—a quirky origin story that only added to his relatability. Martindale’s career began at 17 as a disc jockey at Memphis’ WHBQ radio, where his deep voice and genuine warmth quickly made him a local star. In a pivotal moment for music history, Martindale met a young Elvis Presley in 1954 after relentlessly playing “That’s All Right” on air—the first time the song hit the airwaves. When Elvis arrived for his first-ever interview, Martindale’s instincts helped launch a cultural revolution. “Music was changed forever,” his family rightly noted.
Elvis didn’t just shape Martindale’s career; he played Cupid, too. Martindale’s wife, Sandra, a dancer in Elvis films like “Viva Las Vegas,” credited the King for sparking her romance with Wink. “Elvis is responsible for me marrying Wink,” she said in 2015, recalling how her love for Tennessee—and Elvis—drew her to the man who’d become her lifelong partner. Their 49-year marriage, grounded in mutual respect and shared values, stands as a beacon in an era when Hollywood often glorifies fleeting relationships.
Martindale’s rise to fame was quintessentially American. From hosting a kids’ TV show, “Wink Martindale of Mars Patrol,” in Memphis to becoming a household name in Los Angeles, he embodied the grit and optimism of the heartland. By 1965, inspired by “Password” host Allen Ludden’s cushy schedule, Martindale pivoted to game shows, kicking off a 74-year career that saw him helm over 20 programs. His big break came with “Gambit” on CBS, followed by the iconic “Tic-Tac-Dough,” where his colorful sports coats and infectious enthusiasm made him a fixture in living rooms nationwide from 1978 to 1985. Shows like “High Rollers,” “Trivial Pursuit,” and “Debt” cemented his status as a game show titan.
Beyond entertainment, Martindale’s heart for service shone through. A devout supporter of Cerebral Palsy and St. Jude Children’s Hospital, he hosted and produced annual telethons, reflecting the conservative ethos of giving back without seeking fanfare. His accolades—a 2006 Hollywood Walk of Fame star, a 2024 Beale Street Note, and an early induction into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame—were well-earned, but Martindale remained humble, a man who never forgot his Tennessee roots.
Tributes poured in, with manager Dolores Cantú calling him a “legend with a heart of gold” who treated her like family. “Wink, you will always be in my heart,” she wrote, promising he’d record her birthday videos “from heaven.” Martindale is survived by daughters Lisa, Lyn, and Laura, sister Geraldine, and “honorary son” Eric.
In an age of woke entertainment and fleeting celebrity, Wink Martindale’s life reminds us of a better era—one where talent, decency, and patriotism defined stardom. Conservatives mourn not just a host but a cultural icon who brought families together, proving that good, clean fun never goes out of style. Rest in peace, Wink—you’ve earned your place in America’s heart.
