Wink Martindale, beloved game show host and Elvis confidant, dies at 91

KIRO-TV 7 ^ | 4/15/25 | Shawn Garrett

[DallasBiff]

Wink Martindale, the iconic game show host and radio personality whose career spanned more than seven decades and who helped introduce Elvis Presley to the world, died Tuesday in Rancho Mirage, California, according to his publicist. He was 91.

Born Winston Conrad Martindale on Dec. 4, 1933, in Jackson, Tennessee, Martindale began working in radio at age 17 after a Sunday school teacher helped him land his first job at a 250-watt station.

That opportunity kicked off a 74-year career in broadcasting that made him a household name on both radio and television.

[DallasBiff]

Last of his era when daytime tv was filled with game shows and soap operas, not insipid opinion shows like the view and round the clock news.

RIP Wink.

[noiseman]

Wow, I never would have thought that Wink Martindale was still alive.

[Fungi]

The last of the greats on the original KRLA in Los Angeles. REST IN PEACE wink, we miss you.

[ConservativeMind]

He always seemed a nice guy.

[JZelle]

Only remember him from Tic Tac Dough. RIP

[wally_bert]

Same here.

Game shows used to be fun in the 70s and 80s.

[escapefromboston]

RIP Wink

[PAR35]

Yes, I thought he’d been dead for a decade or two.

[DarrellZero]

Good luck in the lightning round, Wink.

[OttawaFreeper]

RIP. I always liked him on Tic Tac Dough and Headline Chasers.

[llevrok]

As a kid in the late 50's, I recall him reciting the tale of "A Deck of Cards"

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=V4W3KwLFDOA

[Tijeras_Slim]

Can you imagine how horrible a modern Hollywood Squares would be?

[God luvs America]

jeez- for a second there i though it was the DC of Michigan football...

[Sarah Barracuda]

Me either I thought he died years ago

[Southside_Chicago_Republican]

He had been doing a syndicated oldies program that aired on Saturday mornings here. I heard him recently and he sounded good. RIP.

[Poser]

I read somewhere that his brother was Jack Narz. (Joker’s Wild)

[GSWarrior]

I remember him from Gambit, with Elaine Stewart.

[ridesthemiles]

DON’T LOOK NOW—_THERE IS A MODERN VERSION

[Dahoser]

And hosted by the precious Nate Burleson.

[Beowulf9]

Rip, Wink.