Wink Martindale was a legendary game show host, radio personality, and occasional recording artist whose career spanned over six decades. Best known for hosting shows like Tic-Tac-Dough, Gambit, and Debt, Martindale became a familiar face on American television. His long-standing presence in entertainment not only earned him widespread recognition — and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame — but also contributed to a substantial net worth.
Here’s a closer look at how Martindale earned his fortune over the years following news of his passing.
What Game Shows Did Wink Martindale Host?
Martindale became a television staple thanks to his long list of game show hosting gigs, many of which became hits. One of his earliest and most notable roles was as the host of Gambit, a blackjack-themed game show that aired on CBS from 1972 to 1976 and later returned on NBC in the early ’80s.
He rose to even greater fame with Tic-Tac-Dough, which he hosted from 1978 to 1985. The quiz show, based on the classic game of tic-tac-toe, became one of his most iconic roles and remains closely associated with his name. Martindale was behind the podium during Navy Lt. Thom McKee’s historic 88-game winning streak — a record-breaking moment in game show history.
Later in his career, he hosted High Rollers from 1987 to 1988, a dice-based show, and Debt on Lifetime from 1996 to 1998, where contestants competed to pay off their financial obligations.
After stepping back from the game show spotlight, Martindale published his memoir, Winking at Life, in 2000. In the book, he reflected on his decades in entertainment.
“I love working with contestants, interacting with the audience and to a degree, watching lives change,” he wrote in one excerpt. “Winning a lot of cash can cause that to happen.”
What Was Wink Martindale’s Net Worth?
Martindale had an estimated net worth of $20 million, according to Celebrity Net Worth.
Prior to his long-running television career, Martindale worked as a radio DJ and even found success in music. In 1959, he released a spoken-word rendition of Deck of Cards, which peaked at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 and sold over a million copies, earning him a gold disc.
Was Wink Martindale Married?
Martindale was married to his wife, Sandra “Sandy” Martindale, for 49 years. The couple tied the knot in 1975 and remained together until his passing.
He was previously married to Madelyn Leech from 1954 to 1972
Did Wink Martindale Have Children?
Martindale had four children with his ex-wife Leech: daughters Lisa, Madelyn, and Laura, and a son, Wink Jr., who sadly preceded him in death.
