Iconic Game Show Host Wink Martindale Passed Away At 91

The smooth-talking TV host Wink Martindale, who added excitement and charm to innumerable game shows, died at the age of 91. His lengthy career in entertainment, which started while he was barely a youngster, came to an end on Tuesday, April 15.

With shows like Gambit, Tic-Tac-Dough, High Rollers, and Debt, Martindale became a household name. He was a mainstay of American television from the 1970s until the late 1990s, making viewers feel like contestants even as they were sitting on their couches.

A Career Fueled by Music and TV

Beyond game shows, Martindale explored a love of music, releasing hits like “Deck of Cards” and “Black Land Farmer.” Even later in life, he never stepped away from the spotlight. In 2016, he appeared as a minister on The Bold and the Beautiful. Then in 2021, he returned to his musical roots by hosting The History of Rock ‘n’ Roll, a two-hour nostalgia-filled trip through the biggest hits of the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.

Love and Elvis Presley’s Influence

Wink’s love story with his wife Sandy Ferra is one for the books—and it even has a touch of Elvis. The couple tied the knot in 1975, but before that, Sandy had dated the King of Rock and Roll. She once shared:

“When [Martindale] said he was from Tennessee, I said, ‘He must be a nice guy,’ because I loved the state. I loved all the guys. I loved everything in the state of Tennessee because Elvis was such a wonderful part of my life.”

Wink always spoke highly of Elvis, saying:

“He was a great giver… He was your friend until the day you died… He would always be your friend and do anything for you that you needed him to do. He was that kind of a person.”

Even though Wink Martindale is no longer with us, his joyous contributions to music and TV remain. Along with innumerable admirers and his cherished wife, Sandy, he leaves behind a legacy filled with love, joy, and treasured memories.