Wink Martindale: A Life Celebrated

Winston Conrad Martindale, famously known as Wink Martindale, passed away at the age of 91 on Tuesday in Rancho Mirage, California. His passing was confirmed in a statement by his representative, Nashville Publicity Group.

A Veteran of Game Shows

Martindale was a prominent figure in the game show industry, hosting and producing over 20 television programs throughout his career. He began his journey in this realm with “What’s This Song” in 1964, a game show that featured contestants teaming up with celebrities to identify popular tunes, despite its brief run.

Some of his most well-known shows include:

• Gambit: A game inspired by blackjack.
• Tic-Tac-Dough: A combination of trivia and tic-tac-toe.
• Debt: A unique format where contestants could eliminate their bills by answering questions correctly.

Musical Endeavors

Beyond games and quizzes, Martindale was also an accomplished vocalist. He recorded around 20 singles and seven albums throughout his music career. Notably, his 1959 spoken-word recording, “Deck of Cards,” achieved gold record status, selling over one million copies. This success earned him a spot on the Ed Sullivan Show, where he recounted the poignant story of a soldier’s misadventure during wartime.

Recognition and Legacy

Martindale’s contributions to the television landscape did not go unnoticed. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in 2006 and became one of the inaugural inductees into the American TV Game Show Hall of Fame in 2007.

Reflecting on his iconic nickname, Martindale once shared, “When I was a kid in Jackson, Tenn., one of my playmates couldn’t say ‘Winston,’ and it came out sounding like ‘Winky.’ So Winston turned into Winky, and then I got into the business and Wink! It served me well, and I just kept Wink all these years.”

Early Life and Career

Born on December 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, Martindale was the son of James A. and Frances M. Martindale. His passion for broadcasting began early; after graduating from high school in 1951, he attended Memphis State College (now University of Memphis) and secured his first disc jockey position earning $25 a week.

His career started to take flight at WHBQ in Memphis, where he famously arranged an interview with Elvis Presley following the release of Presley’s debut record. In 1959, Martindale moved to Los Angeles, where he continued to make his mark in radio, even while hosting television shows.

Personal Life

Martindale’s first marriage was to Madelyn Leech in 1954, which ended in 1971. They had four children: Lisa, Lyn, Laura, and Wink Jr. In 1975, he married Sandra Ferra, who remains his wife. Wink Martindale is also survived by several grandchildren and great-grandchildren.