Television's golden buzzer just fell silent. Wink Martindale, the charismatic maestro behind Tic-Tac-Dough, has taken his final bow at 91. Surrounded by loved ones, including his wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale, he passed away in Rancho Mirage, California. With his signature smile and unforgettable charm, Wink Martindale turned every show into an iconic moment, leaving behind a legacy that fans will cherish forever.

As the golden buzzer of TV quiets with Wink Martindale’s passing, his legacy still shines bright, the king of game shows who made trivia feel like prime-time magic.

Television has lost one of its most iconic voices. Wink Martindale, the ever-charming game show legend with that signature smile, has passed away at 91 in Rancho Mirage, California. Best known for hosting classics like Tic-Tac-Dough, Gambit, and High Rollers, Martindale’s elegance and wit helped define a golden era of game shows. Throughout his 74-year career, he transformed everyday moments into unforgettable entertainment, leaving an indelible mark on television history.

From Memphis airwaves to Hollywood spotlights, Winston Conrad "Wink" Martindale's journey began at just 17, when history crackled through radio speakers as he witnessed Elvis Presley's debut track premiere on WHBQ. His velvet voice became a soundtrack across Los Angeles radio stations, narrating everything from holiday specials to musical histories. The consummate professional quickly climbed the entertainment ladder, transforming from regional personality to national treasure through sheer talent and that unmistakable warmth radiating through microphones.

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While Wink Martindale’s voice became synonymous with game show glory, his legacy stretched far beyond the screen, shaping pop culture, music, and the very rhythm of American entertainment.

The small screen beckoned in 1964 when NBC's What's This Song? introduced America to Wink Martindale's television charisma, launching a dynasty of daytime entertainment. His repertoire expanded like a jackpot counter, most notably with Tic-Tac-Dough, where his tailored suits and perfect hair became as familiar as living room furniture. In 1959, his spoken-word recording Deck of Cards climbed to No. 7 on Billboard charts, shuffling between legends in an era before Taylor Swift dominated rankings. 

Beyond bright lights and buzzers, Wink Martindale championed causes through telethons and charity work, earning recognition with coveted stars on both Hollywood's Walk of Fame and Memphis' Beale Street. The consummate entertainer never truly retired, appearing on soap operas like The Bold and the Beautiful and bringing his veteran charm to KFC campaigns. Wink's final scoreboard shows a remarkable legacy: husband to Sandra Martindale, brother to Geraldine Martindale, father of three daughters, and patriarch to generations of grandchildren and great-grandchildren, plus his honorary son named Eric.

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