Remembering Wink Martindale, Game Show Legend

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Let’s spin the wheel of nostalgia and celebrate Wink Martindale, the game show maestro whose charm lit up screens for over seven decades! In this video, we dive into the dazzling legacy of Winston Conrad “Wink” Martindale, born December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, who passed away at 91 on April 15, 2025, leaving a trail of TV gold. Known for hosting 21 game shows like *Tic-Tac-Dough* (1978-1985) and *Gambit* (1972-1976, 1980-1981), Wink’s “Keep It Simple Stupid” mantra made complex games feel like backyard fun, outshining rivals like *The Price Is Right* for years. His warm smile and ad-lib mastery, honed as a teen DJ at WPLI for $25 a week, turned *Tic-Tac-Dough* into a trivia juggernaut, with legends like Thom McKee racking up $312,700.

Wink’s early days were electric—starting at 17, he hopped from Tennessee’s WTJS to Memphis’ WHBQ, where he was in the studio the night Elvis Presley’s “That’s All Right” debuted in 1954, sparking “Presley mania.” By 1956, he hosted *Teenage Dance Party* on WHBQ-TV, snagging a free Elvis appearance that irked Colonel Parker but sealed a lifelong friendship. Wink even scored Elvis’ first filmed interview, and his second wife, Sandy, briefly dated The King after meeting on *G.I. Blues* (1960), crediting Elvis for their 1975 marriage. Beyond radio, Wink’s 1959 spoken-word hit *Deck of Cards* hit No. 7 on Billboard, earning gold and an *Ed Sullivan Show* spot.

As a producer, Wink’s vision shone through Wink Martindale Enterprises, birthing shows like *Headline Chasers* (1985) and *Bumper Stumpers* (1987-1990). His radio gigs—KHJ, KRLA, and Gene Autry’s KMPC—broke ‘60s and ‘70s hits, while later syndicated shows like *The 100 Greatest Christmas Hits* (2012) kept his voice alive. Honored with a 2006 Hollywood Walk of Fame star, a 2007 Game Show Hall of Fame nod, and a 2024 Beale Street Note, Wink’s $20M net worth reflected a career that never sneered at games—he loved them, and so did we. Survived by wife Sandy, daughters Lisa, Madelyn, Laura, and grandkids, Wink’s legacy is a masterclass in joy. Share your favorite Wink moment below!

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