Wink Martindale, Beloved Classic Game Show Host, Dead at 91

Wink Martindale, Beloved Classic Game Show Host, Dead at 91

Wink Martindale, the memorable host of iconic game shows such as Tic-Tac-Dough, and the first to interview Elvis Presley, has passed away at the age of 91. Martindale died peacefully at his home in Rancho Mirage, California, on April 15. He was surrounded by his family and his devoted wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale, according to a press release. Martindale launched his show business career at just 17, starting as a disc jockey in his hometo…

Wink Martindale: In His Own Words

In December 2020, I interviewed radio/TV veteran Wink Martindale and writer/producer Gary Theroux about their syndicated holiday special, The 100 Greatest Christmas Hits of All Time. The following year, the pair teamed up again to create a new two-hour weekly version of Theroux’s History of Rock & Roll, the syndicated special he created in 1978.  Martindale died April 15 at age 91. He had updated Greatest Christmas Hits last December and complet…