Wink Martindale, cherished legend of the American TV game show landscape, has gone to his Heaven, please God. He passed away Tuesday at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, California at age 91. Winston Conrad Martindale was born Dec. 4, 1933 in Jackson, TN. He was a true Renaissance man, dedicating his life to entertaining audiences on broadcast radio, television and beyond. He started his media career by fueling his passion for music at an early age. By the age of six he’d read the ads in Life magazine on the newsstand out loud.
Martindale’s career exploded just one year later at the age of 18. He soon became a disc jockey at WPLI in Jackson, the beginning of an exhilarating ride. He was paid a paltry salary of $25 per week. His exuberance for the radio and broadcasting medium set the stage for an extraordinary career that would last for decades to come. He ended up hosting almost 24 different game shows during his long life. This turned him into a household name and an undisputed central figure in American vaudeville entertainment history.
His crowning achievement would come while he was working on “Gambit.” Once there, he presided over Navy Lt. Thom McKee’s staggering 88-game winning streak. More than proving Martindale’s reputation was well founded, this record-setting performance illustrated the power of game shows to not just attract, but enthrall audiences. Reflecting on the show’s success, he remarked, “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.”
Along with “Gambit,” Martindale hosted the old classic game show “Tic-Tac-Dough.” This fun X’s and O’s television show was on CBS from 1978-1985. Throughout his seven years on the show, he graciously awarded over $7 million in cash and prizes. This extraordinary philanthropy truly cemented his legacy within the industry. He is passionate about making contestants feel at home and building a connection with the at-home audience. In his mind, nothing holds a candle to seeing lives transformed by the series.
Martindale’s career was characterized by numerous other significant milestones. He hosted the nationally syndicated program “The 100 Greatest Christmas Hits of All Time” in 2012 and “The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll” in 2021. Moreover, he graced the stage of “The Ed Sullivan Show,” performing a spoken word wartime story with religious overtones that showcased his versatility beyond game shows.
In 2017 Martindale appeared in a KFC campaign with actor Rob Lowe. This new collaboration proved the shrewd creator’s enduring relevance in today’s popular culture. He further described his life and adventures in his 2000 memoir, “Winking at Life.” His unconventional memoir provided a first-hand look into that ride, chronicling the pitfalls and successes of his career in showbiz.
Martindale’s love for radio stayed with him all his life. During his time at Memphis State University, he was the first person to ever host morning shows at WHBQ in Memphis. Perhaps his greatest strength was ability to relate to the average Joe contestant and listener, which was an integral part of his success. In private, he seemed haunted by his meteoric ascent. “Overnight I went from the outhouse to the penthouse,” he said on his extraordinary rise, juxtaposing the speedy rise with the difficulties that lay ahead.
For all the awards and praise, Martindale was self deprecating about his success. He once expressed an awareness of the extraordinary nature of his career: “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.”
Wink Martindale has a pretty incredible legacy in that—full of many great game shows. He equally leaves an indelible mark on American television culture. His ability to entertain and engage with contestants has made him a cherished memory in the hearts of many viewers.