Game show host Wink Martindale known for Tic-Tac-Dough, High Rollers and Gambit dead at 91

Wink Martindale — the game show host known for helming “Tic-Tac-Dough,” High Rollers” and “Gambit” — has died.He was 91.A spokesperson for Martindale’s family revealed that the beloved TV personality died Tuesday in Racho Mirage, Calif., Deadline reported.

Fox News also confirmed Martindale’s passing.The game show host was “surrounded by family and his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale,” the spokesperson said.

A cause of death was not given.In addition to Sandra, Martindale is survived by his daughters, Lisa, Lyn and Laura; his sister, Geraldine; and his “honorary son,” Eric.The Post has reached out to Martindale’s rep.Born Winston Conrad Martindale on Dec.4, 1933 in Jackson, Tenn., Martindale was known not only for his friendly demeanor, deep voice, and colorful sports coats, but also his unusual first name.

“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 told ABC News in 2014. “So Winston turned into Winky, and then I got into the business and Wink it was! It served me well.”“Wink” got his start in show business when he was only 17, working as a disc jockey at Memphis radio station WHBQ.

According to his family, Martindale met Elvis Presley one night after repeatedly playing the King’s track “That’s All Right” on the radio, marking the first time the song hit airwaves.Martindale then called Presley’s mother asking if her son would come to the station until she and the King relented.“Elvis soon arrived at WHBQ for his first interview, and music was changed forever,” the family said in their statement.This is a developing story.

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