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Wink Martindale, Host of 'Gambit,' 'Tic-Tac-Dough,' and 'High Rollers,' Dies at 91

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Updated Apr 16, 2025, 05:02 PM

Wink Martindale, the genial host of popular game shows such as 'Gambit,' 'Tic-Tac-Dough,' and 'High Rollers,' has died at the age of 91. Martindale passed away on Tuesday at Eisenhower Health in Rancho Mirage, California, after battling lymphoma for a year. He had a 74-year career in the entertainment industry. Throughout his career, Martindale hosted over 20 game shows, beginning with 'What's This Song?' in 1964. His shows 'Gambit' and 'Tic-Tac-Dough' were particularly successful, with 'Gambit' debuting in 1972 and initially outperforming its competition before being eclipsed by 'Wheel of Fortune.' 'Tic-Tac-Dough' ran for seven years on CBS, during which Martindale oversaw an 88-game winning streak by contestant Navy Lt. Thom McKee, who won over $300,000 in cash and prizes. Over the course of his tenure on 'Tic-Tac-Dough,' Martindale gave away more than $7 million in cash and prizes. Martindale's career began in radio at age 17, and he later transitioned to television, where he became known for his affable hosting style. He also had a notable connection to Elvis Presley, conducting one of the first recorded television interviews with the young singer and maintaining a friendship with him over the years. Martindale achieved success as a recording artist with his spoken-word track 'Deck of Cards,' which reached No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart and sold over one million copies. He received a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame and appeared in a KFC ad campaign with actor Rob Lowe. Martindale is survived by his second wife of 49 years, Sandy, and his children from his first marriage.

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Variety

@Variety

Wink Martindale, a pioneer of game show frontmen and the host of “Tic-Tac-Dough,” “Gambit” and “High Rollers,” died Tuesday. He was 91. https://t.co/yFeCb3Whan https://t.co/UhDN6xi9gn

New York Post

@nypost

Game Show host Wink Martindale — known for ‘Tic-Tac-Dough,’ ‘High Rollers’ and ‘Gambit’ — dead at 91 https://t.co/C8zAFFyJvE https://t.co/de15oKjBmZ

NEWSMAX

@NEWSMAX

Wink Martindale, the genial host of hit game shows such as "Gambit" and "Tic-Tac-Dough," who also did one of the first recorded television interviews with a young Elvis Presley, has died. He was 91. Read more: https://t.co/cJtR06n3Ka https://t.co/dpy63R7DMt

Rolling Stone

@RollingStone

Prolific game show host and media personality Wink Martindale has died at 91. More: https://t.co/bVRi0PBXDj https://t.co/yXT5LTCVt0

ABC 7 Chicago

@ABC7Chicago

Wink Martindale, the genial host of such hit game shows as "Gambit" and "Tic-Tac-Dough" has died. He was 91. https://t.co/XEVT8tsuM1 https://t.co/mqBcvd0QBb

#Wink Martindale #Gambit #High Rollers #Martindale #Eisenhower Health #Rancho Mirage #California #Wheel of Fortune #CBS #Navy #Thom McKee #Elvis Presley #Deck of Cards #Billboard Hot 100 #Hollywood Walk of Fame #KFC #Rob Lowe #Sandy

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Sources

nytimes.com(4)cbsnews.com(3)apnews.com(3)hollywoodreporter.com(3)

KLBK News

@KLBKNews

Rest in peace to the iconic host of more than 25 different game shows and one of the first people to interview Elvis Presley on television, Wink Martindale. https://t.co/N8vP9Ysw1l

CBS News Miami

@CBSMiami

Wink Martindale, the host of hit game shows "Gambit" and "Tic-Tac-Dough," has died. He was 91. https://t.co/9xr4maNXxS

Timhanlon

@Timhanlon

For those playing at home, this was the show that replaced David Letterman's original NBC Morning show➡️"Martindale later hosted a Las Vegas-based revival of 'Gambit' from 1980-81."📷@bethharrisap) https://t.co/bmL51WTdjg