Legendary game show host Wink Martindale, who helmed Tic-Tag-Dough, High Rollers and Gambit, died at the age of 91 in Rancho Mirage, California on Tuesday (April 15), a spokesperson for his family confirmed to Deadline.
Martindale was said to be "surrounded by family and his beloved wife of 49 years, Sandra Martindale," the spokesperson added. The game show host's cause of death was not publicly revealed as of Wednesday (April 16) morning.
Martindale's manager, Dolores Cantu, also shared a post calling him one of her "closest friends" during a relationship that spanned "over 40 years."
"Today we lost my incredible friend Wink Martindale a legion, a man of God, a great friend, the best Game Show Host and birthday Party interview for 40 years. Having the late Murray Schwartz as a great friend as well, always made for fun banter. Mark Lamia friend of Wink’, thank you for my #Fredsjewelry. My Spiritual-sister #SandraMartindale, I will always be here for you my love.. Heaven got an angel today," Cantu wrote.
Martindale, a native of Jackson, Tennessee, befriended Elvis Presley during an early job as a disc jockey at a Memphis radio station after playing his song 'That's All Right' repeatedly on-air, the first time the song hit the airwaves and hosted a popular kids show Wink Martindale of Mars Patrol. The legendary host later transferred to Los Angeles and hosted his first game show, What's That Song in 1965, eventually hosting more than 20 in his 74-year career.