In memory of Wink Martindale: facts about his life, career, and cause of death
16 april 2025 в 16:13
Popular game show host Wink Martindale, who became known in the 1970s, passed away on April 15, 2025. He was 91 years old. Fans of Martindale mourn his passing and honor him and his career, we have gathered all the facts about his life, career, and cause of death below.
Martindale is best known as the host of the shows Gambit, Tic-Tac-Dough, High Rollers, and Debt. Originally from Tennessee, he hosted Gambit from 1972 to 1976, Tic-Tac-Dough from 1978 to 1985, High Rollers from 1987 to 1988, and Debt from 1996 to 1998.
Martindale was born Winston Conrad and adopted the nickname «Wink» when he became famous. During an interview with ABC News in November 2014, the late Tic-Tac-Dough host explained where his stage name came from.
«When I was a kid in Jackson, Tennessee, one of my playmates, Jimmy McCart, couldn’t say 'Winston', which is my real name, and he had a speech impediment, and it came out as 'Winky'», - Martindale explained at the time. «So Winston turned into Winky, and then I got into show business, and Wink [stuck]! It served me well, and I’ve just been Wink all these years».
Although the cause of death was not initially disclosed, when his death became known, Martindale passed away after battling lymphoma, TMZ reports. The publication reported on April 15 that he had been fighting the disease for about a year, and his representative Brian Mayes said he «felt good». However, about two weeks before his death, he «experienced a downturn» and was hospitalized for treatment.
Yes, Martindale was married to his wife Sandra «Sandy» Martindale. They married in 1975 and were together until his death in April 2025. In a public statement released by the Martindale family representative, the late game show host passed away «surrounded by family and his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale».
Previously, Martindale was married to his ex-wife Madeline Lynch from 1954 to 1972.
Yes, Martindale was the father of three daughters: Lisa, Lynn, and Laura. He also had an «honorary» son named Eric, according to CNN.
Throughout his life, Martindale seemed to be in good health. He even explained to ABC News in 2014 how his wife Sandra helped him maintain his physical fitness and well-being.
«I don’t overdo it with alcohol. I have a little wine, that’s it», - he said at the time. «I don’t smoke. And we take vitamins. But I always attributed that to her!»
Martindale is best known as the host of the shows Gambit, Tic-Tac-Dough, High Rollers, and Debt. Originally from Tennessee, he hosted Gambit from 1972 to 1976, Tic-Tac-Dough from 1978 to 1985, High Rollers from 1987 to 1988, and Debt from 1996 to 1998.
Martindale was born Winston Conrad and adopted the nickname «Wink» when he became famous. During an interview with ABC News in November 2014, the late Tic-Tac-Dough host explained where his stage name came from.
«When I was a kid in Jackson, Tennessee, one of my playmates, Jimmy McCart, couldn’t say 'Winston', which is my real name, and he had a speech impediment, and it came out as 'Winky'», - Martindale explained at the time. «So Winston turned into Winky, and then I got into show business, and Wink [stuck]! It served me well, and I’ve just been Wink all these years».
Although the cause of death was not initially disclosed, when his death became known, Martindale passed away after battling lymphoma, TMZ reports. The publication reported on April 15 that he had been fighting the disease for about a year, and his representative Brian Mayes said he «felt good». However, about two weeks before his death, he «experienced a downturn» and was hospitalized for treatment.
Yes, Martindale was married to his wife Sandra «Sandy» Martindale. They married in 1975 and were together until his death in April 2025. In a public statement released by the Martindale family representative, the late game show host passed away «surrounded by family and his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale».
Previously, Martindale was married to his ex-wife Madeline Lynch from 1954 to 1972.
Yes, Martindale was the father of three daughters: Lisa, Lynn, and Laura. He also had an «honorary» son named Eric, according to CNN.
Throughout his life, Martindale seemed to be in good health. He even explained to ABC News in 2014 how his wife Sandra helped him maintain his physical fitness and well-being.
«I don’t overdo it with alcohol. I have a little wine, that’s it», - he said at the time. «I don’t smoke. And we take vitamins. But I always attributed that to her!»
© Zhinobaeva Margarita
