Classic Game Show Host Wink Martindale Dead At 91
News has come out that Winston Conrad “Wink” Martindale, a game show host with a career spanning decades, has passed away. Martindale was 91 at the time of his death. Throughout his prolific career, in addition to his hosting duties, Martindale also created a few shows and even occasionally worked as an actor.
Wink Martindale Started In Radio, But Soon Became An Iconic Game Show Host
Martindale got his start in media working as a radio DJ. However, he then moved onto television. By 1964, Martindale hosted his first game show, What’s This Song?, which ended by the following year.
Martindale would soon become better known for hosting Gambit, which originally ran from 1972 to 1976. This show was based around the card game of the same name.
However, for many, Martindale’s best known to many as the host of Tic-Tac-Dough. This game show, based on the classic name of the same name, had its debut on CBS and in syndication in 1978. In order to play the game, players guessed at trivia questions, which would allow them to claim X’s and O’s on a board. The game was also known for its bonus round, in which players could risk losing everything thanks to the “dragon” square.
Tic-Tac-Dough proved to be a hit, with Martindale continuing to host the show until 1985. However, he later left the series to host another game show, Headline Chasers, which he also created.
A Spokesperson For The Martindale Family Revealed The News Of Wink’s Death
In the 1980s, Martindale also created and co-produced Bumper Stumpers, a game show for the USA Network. Around this time, he also hosted a revival of the game show, High Rollers.
In the 1990s, Martindale later served as the host of Lifetime’s Debt, which would serve as the network’s highest-rated quiz show. Later in his career, Martindale would become known for appearing in commercials. In 2010, he would notably present the hidden camera game show, Instant Recall.
Martindale also had a few acting roles throughout his career. He played a parody of himself, as a sphinx, on an episode of Disney’s Hercules. In 2016, he also appeared on a few episodes of The Bold and the Beautiful.
According to Deadline, Martindale’s death was announced by a spokesperson for his family. No cause of death was given at the time. However, it was noted, he was “surrounded by family and his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale.” He was also said to be survived by his sister Geraldine, daughters Lisa, Lyn and Laura, his “honorary son” Eric, and a large number of grandchildren and great grandchildren.
In a 2017 interview with the Television Academy Foundation, Martindale himself shared, “A good host is a person who loves people. If you’re a people person, you’re naturally going to be attracted to contestants. And it’s easy for you to be able to interact with those people.”
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