Wink Martindale — the sport present host identified for helming “Tic-Tac-Dough,” Excessive Rollers” and “Gambit” — has died. He was 91.
A spokesperson for Martindale’s household revealed that the beloved TV character died Tuesday in Racho Mirage, Calif., Deadline reported. Fox Information additionally confirmed Martindale’s passing.
The sport present host was “surrounded by family and his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale,” the spokesperson mentioned.
A reason for demise was not given.
Along with Sandra, Martindale is survived by his daughters, Lisa, Lyn and Laura; his sister, Geraldine; and his “honorary son,” Eric.
The Publish has reached out to Martindale’s rep.
Born Winston Conrad Martindale on Dec. 4, 1933 in Jackson, Tenn., Martindale was identified not just for his pleasant demeanor, deep voice, and colourful sports activities coats, but additionally his uncommon first identify.
“When I was a kid in Jackson, Tennessee, one of my playmates, Jimmy McCord, couldn’t say ‘Winston,’ which is my given name. He had a speech impediment, and it came out sounding like ‘Winky,’” Martindale instructed ABC Information in 2014. “So Winston turned into Winky, and then I got into the business and Wink it was! It served me well.”
“Wink” received his begin in present enterprise when he was solely 17, working as a disc jockey at Memphis radio station WHBQ. In line with his household, Martindale met Elvis Presley one night time in 1954 after repeatedly enjoying the King’s observe “That’s All Right” on the radio, marking the primary time the track hit airwaves. Martindale then referred to as Presley’s mom asking if her son would come to the station till she and The King relented.
“Elvis soon arrived at WHBQ for his first interview, and music was changed forever,” the household mentioned of their assertion.
Twenty years after befriending Elvis, Martindale married his second spouse, Sandra, with just a little assist from the legendary singer.
His second spouse, Sandy, whom he married in 1975, dated Presley on and off till shortly earlier than the singer wed Priscilla Wagner in 1967, and he or she appeared as a dancer in Viva Las Vegas (1964) and different Elvis motion pictures.
“Elvis is responsible for me marrying Wink,” she revealed in a 2015 interview.
When [Martindale] mentioned he was from Tennessee, I mentioned, ‘He must be a nice guy,’ as a result of I cherished the state, I cherished all the blokes, I cherished all the things within the state of Tennessee as a result of Elvis was such an exquisite a part of my life.”
Often called Sandy, the long run Mrs. Martindale dated Presley on and off for a short time earlier than he married Priscilla Wagner in 1967 and in addition labored as a dancer in a handful of Elvis motion pictures, together with 1964’s “Viva Las Vegas.”
It is a creating story.
