Wink Martindale, the favored sport present host who rose to prominence within the Seventies, died on April 15, 2025. He was 91. As followers of Martindale mourn the loss and honor him and his profession, we’ve gathered all of the details about his life, profession and reason behind loss of life under.
Wink Martindale’s Recreation Reveals
Martindale is greatest remembered for internet hosting the exhibits Gambit, Tic-Tac-Dough, Excessive Rollers and Debt. The Tennessee native hosted Gambit from 1972 to 1976, Tic-Tac-Dough from 1978 to 1985, Excessive Rollers from 1987 to 1988 and Debt from 1996 to 1998.
What Is Wink Martindale’s Actual Identify?
Martindale was born as Winston Conrad and caught to his nickname, “Wink,” whereas he rose to fame. Throughout a November 2014 interview with ABC Information, the late Tic-Tac-Dough host defined the place he received his stage title.
“After I was a child in Jackson, Tennessee, one in every of my playmates, Jimmy McCord, couldn’t say ‘Winston,’ which is my given title, and he had a speech obstacle and it got here out sounding like ‘Winky,’” Martindale defined on the time. “So, Winston changed into Winky, after which I received into the enterprise. and Wink [it was]! It served me nicely, and I simply stored Wink all these years.”
How Did Wink Martindale Die?
Although no reason behind loss of life was initially given when information broke of his loss of life, Martindale died following a battle with lymphoma, in response to TMZ. The outlet reported on April 15 that he had been battling the illness for round one yr, and his rep, Brian Mayes, stated he was “doing nicely.” Nevertheless, about two weeks earlier than he died, Martindale “took a flip for the more severe” and was hospitalized for remedy.
RIP Wink Martindale.
I met Wink at Casey Kasem’s memorial in 2014. I advised him my mom in legislation was on Tic Tac Dough, and nonetheless makes use of the forged iron pan she gained.
In full sport present voice, he stated you Danny, we actually did have some fabulous presents and prizes. 😂😂 pic.twitter.com/UTE7CBPn2T
— Danny Deraney (@DannyDeraney) April 15, 2025
Was Wink Martindale Married?
Sure, Martindale was married to his spouse, Sandra “Sandy” Martindale. They wed in 1975 and had been collectively up till his loss of life in April 2025. In a public assertion shared by a Martindale household spokesperson, the late sport present host died “surrounded by household and his beloved spouse of 49 years, Sandra Martindale.”
Beforehand, Martindale was married to his ex-wife, Madelyn Leech, from 1954 to 1972.
Did Wink Martindale Have Children?
Sure, Martindale was a father to 3 daughters: Lisa, Lyn and Laura. He additionally had an “honorary” son named Eric, per CNN.
Wink Martindale’s Well being
All through his life, Martindale appeared to be in good well being. He even defined to ABC Information in 2014 how his spouse, Sandra, helped him keep his physique and situation.
“I don’t over-drink. I drink a little bit wine, that’s it,” he stated on the time. “I don’t smoke. And we take nutritional vitamins. However I’ve all the time attributed it to her!”
