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

Wink Martindale — nan crippled show big known for helming “Tic-Tac-Dough,” High Rollers” and “Gambit” — has died. He was 91.

A spokesperson for Martindale’s family revealed that nan beloved TV characteristic died Tuesday successful Racho Mirage, Calif., Deadline reported. Fox News also confirmed Martindale’s passing.

The crippled show big was “surrounded by family and his beloved woman of 49 years, Sandra Martindale,” nan spokesperson said.

A origin of decease was not given.

Wink Martindale CBS via Getty Images

In summation to Sandra, Martindale is survived by his daughters, Lisa, Lyn and Laura; his sister, Geraldine; and his “honorary son,” Eric.

The Post has reached retired to Martindale’s rep.

Born Winston Conrad Martindale connected Dec. 4, 1933 successful Jackson, Tenn., Martindale was known not only for his friends demeanor, heavy voice, and colorful sports coats, but besides his different first name.

“When I was a kid successful Jackson, Tennessee, 1 of my playmates, Jimmy McCord, couldn’t opportunity ‘Winston,’ which is my fixed name. He had a reside impediment, and it came retired sounding for illustration ‘Winky,’” Martindale told ABC News successful 2014. “So Winston turned into Winky, and past I sewage into nan business and Wink it was! It served maine well.”

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“Wink” sewage his commencement successful show business erstwhile he was only 17, moving arsenic a disc jockey astatine Memphis power position WHBQ. According to his family, Martindale met Elvis Presley 1 nighttime successful 1954 aft many times playing nan King’s way “That’s All Right” connected nan radio, marking nan first clip nan opus deed airwaves. Martindale past called Presley’s mother asking if her boy would travel to nan position until she and The King relented.

“Elvis soon arrived astatine WHBQ for his first interview, and euphony was changed forever,” nan family said successful their statement.

Two decades aft befriending Elvis, Martindale joined his 2nd wife, Sandra, pinch a small thief from nan legendary singer.

His 2nd wife, Sandy, whom he joined successful 1975, dated Presley connected and disconnected until soon earlier nan vocalist wed Priscilla Wagner successful 1967, and she appeared arsenic a dancer in Viva Las Vegas (1964) and different Elvis movies.

“Elvis is responsible for maine marrying Wink,” she revealed successful a 2015 interview. 

When [Martindale] said he was from Tennessee, I said, ‘He must beryllium a bully guy,’ because I loved nan state, I loved each nan guys, I loved everything successful nan authorities of Tennessee because Elvis was specified a awesome portion of my life.”

Known arsenic Sandy, nan early Mrs. Martindale dated Presley connected and disconnected for a little clip earlier he joined Priscilla Wagner successful 1967 and besides worked arsenic a dancer successful a fistful of Elvis movies, including 1964’s “Viva Las Vegas.”

This is simply a processing story.