From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
State flag of South Dakota
Location of South Dakota on the U.S. map
This is a list of prominent people who were born in or lived for a significant period in
U.S. state of
South Dakota . For a larger list by location, see
People from South Dakota .
Vine Deloria Jr. , American Indian author, theologian, historian, and activist
Alvin Hansen , economist, Harvard professor; born in
Viborg
Arthur Larson , law professor, United States Undersecretary of Labor; born in
Sioux Falls
Ernest O. Lawrence , inventor of
cyclotron , winner of 1939
Nobel Prize for Physics ; born in
Canton
Lawrence Lessig , internet activist,
Harvard Law School professor; born in Rapid City
Brad L. Neiger, public health professor, associate academic vice president; born in Eureka
Theodore Schultz , economist, winner of 1979
Nobel Prize for Economics ; born in
Arlington
January Jones
Angela Aames (1956–1988), actress; born in
Pierre
Catherine Bach (born 1954), actress; grew up in South Dakota
Bruce Baillie (1931–2020),
experimental filmmaker ; born in
Aberdeen
Rachael Bella (born 1984), actress; born in
Vermillion
Shannon Bolin (1917–2016), actress, singer; born in
Spencer
Moses Brings Plenty (born 1969), actor; born on the
Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
Christopher Cain (born 1943), actor, director, screenwriter; born in
Sioux Falls
Leslie Carlson (1933–2014), actor; born in
Mitchell
Sean Covel (born 1976),film producer; grew up in Edgemont
[1]
Harvey B. Dunn (1894–1968), actor; born in
Yankton
Judith Evelyn (1913–1967), actress; born in
Seneca
Amy Hill (born 1953), actress; born in
Deadwood
Candace Hilligoss (born 1935), actress; born in
Huron
Ron Holgate (born 1937), actor; opera singer; born in Aberdeen
January Jones (born 1978), actress; born in
Hecla
Cheryl Ladd (born 1951), actress; born in Huron
Eddie Little Sky (1926–1997), actor; born on the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation
Cliff Lyons (1901–1974), stuntman, actor; born in
Lake County
Beth Maitland (born 1958), actress; born in
Rapid City
Gail Matthius (born 1953), actress, voice actress; born in New York City
Russell Means (1939–2012), actor,
left-wing
activist ; born in
Wanblee
John Miljan (1892–1960), actor; born in Lead City
Debra Mooney (born 1947), actress; born in Aberdeen
Conrad A. Nervig (1889–1980), Oscar-winning film editor; born in Grant County
Gary Owens (1934–2015), voice actor, disc jockey; born in Mitchell
Dorothy Provine (1937–2010), actress, singer, dancer, comedian; born in Deadwood
Gene Roth (1903–1976), actor; born in
Redfield
Chic Sale (1885–1936), actor, vaudevillian; born in Huron
Eddie Spears (born 1982), actor; born in Lower
Brulé Tribe, South Dakota
Michael Spears (born 1977), actor; born in Lower Brulé Tribe, South Dakota
Michael Steinberg (born 1959), director, writer; born in Rapid City
Joan Tabor (1932–1968), actress; born in Sioux Falls
Delores Taylor (1939–2018), actress, writer, director; born in
Winner
Casey Tibbs (1929–1990), cowboy, rodeo performer, actor; born in
Fort Pierre
Mamie Van Doren (born 1931), actress; born in
Rowena
Jerry verDorn (1949-2022), actor; born in Sioux Falls
John War Eagle (1901–1991), actor; born on the
Yankton Indian Reservation
Alfred L. Werker (1896–1975), director; born in Deadwood
Floyd Red Crow Westerman (1936–2007), actor,
left-wing
activist ; born on the
Lake Traverse Indian Reservation
Timmy Williams (born 1981), actor, comedian; born in
Watertown
Peggy Detmers , sculptor of wildlife in metal, attended
South Dakota State
Harvey Dunn , painter, born in
Manchester
James Earle Fraser , sculptor; spent much of his life in Mitchell
Paul Goble , author and illustrator of children's books; lives in Rapid City
Mary GrandPré , illustrator, born in South Dakota
Bill Groethe , photographer, born in Rapid City
Oscar Howe (1915–1983), Native American artist; born in South Dakota
Terry Redlin (1937–2016), wildlife artist; born in Watertown
Dick Termes , painter of
Termespheres ; lives in
Spearfish
Laura Ingalls Wilder
Jacob M. Appel , author, wrote
Coulrophobia & Fata Morgana while living in Sioux Falls
[2]
L. Frank Baum (1856–1919) author; lived in
Aberdeen
Joseph Bottum (born 1959), essayist and poet; born in Vermillion
Charles Badger Clark (1883–1957), poet laureate of South Dakota
Allison Hedge Coke (born 1958), American Book Award-winning poet, writer; South Dakota resident
Elizabeth Cook-Lynn (born 1930), author; born in
Fort Thompson
Pete Dexter (born 1943), author, screenwriter and journalist, attended
University of South Dakota
David Allan Evans (born 1940), poet laureate of South Dakota
Joseph Hansen (1923–2004), author, best known for mystery novels; born in Aberdeen
Cameron Hawley (1905–1969), author,
Executive Suite ,
Cash McCall ; born in
Howard
Patrick Hicks (born 1970), novelist and poet, Writer-in-Residence at
Augustana University
Johan Andreas Holvik (1880–1960), author and professor at
Concordia College (Minnesota)
Adam Johnson (born 1967), writer, author of
The Orphan Master's Son (2012); born in South Dakota, Lakota heritage
Bill Johnson (born late 1950s), science-fiction writer; born in South Dakota
Herbert Arthur Krause (1905–1976), historian, professor at
Augustana
Rose Wilder Lane (1886–1968), journalist, travel writer, novelist; born in
De Smet
Gaylord Larsen (born 1932), mystery writer; born in
Canova
Joseph Marshall III , Pen Award-winning author; co-founder of
Sinte Gleska College ; born on the
Rosebud Indian Reservation
Laura Ingalls Wilder (1867–1957), author, best known for
Little House on the Prairie ; lived in De Smet
Gene Amdahl
Joey Clement , band member of
Selena Gomez & the Scene ; born in Rapid City
Shawn Colvin (born 1956), Grammy Award-winning musician; born in Vermillion
Mark Craney (1952–2005), drummer for Jethro Tull, Jean Luc-Ponty, Eric Burdon
Myron Floren (1919–2005), accordionist,
The Lawrence Welk Show ; born in
Roslyn
Gary Mule Deer (born 1940), comedian and country musician; born in Deadwood, lives in Spearfish
Keith Olsen (1945–2020), record producer and sound engineer; born in
Sioux Falls
Jess Thomas (1927–1993), opera singer; born in
Hot Springs
Frank Waln , Sicangu Lakota rapper
Abby Whiteside (1881–1956), piano teacher, attended
University of South Dakota
Touch the Clouds
Gertrude Bonnin (Zitkala-Sa) (1876–1938),
Lakota writer and activist; born on Yankton Sioux Reservation
Crazy Horse (c. 1840–1877), Oglala Lakota war leader
Russell Means (1939–2012), Native American activist; born in
Pine Ridge
Maria Pearson (1932–2003), Yankton Sioux activist who helped establish the
Native American Graves Protection and Repatriation Act
Rain-in-the-Face (c. 1835–1905),
Hunkpapa Lakota chief
Red Cloud (1822–1909), Oglala Lakota chief
Sitting Bull (c. 1831–1890), Hunkpapa Lakota chief
Touch the Clouds (c. 1837–1905), Miniconjou Teton Lakota chief known for his great size
Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman (1936–2007), musician, activist and actor; born on Sisseton-Wahpeton Dakota Sioux reservation
Hubert Humphrey
Tom Daschle
Jim Abdnor (1923–2012), second Lebanese U.S. Representative and Senator; born in
Kennebec
James Abourezk (born 1931), first Lebanese U.S. Representative and Senator; born in
Wood
Clinton Presba Anderson , U.S. Secretary of Agriculture; born in
Centerville
Tom Daschle (born 1947),
U.S. Majority Leader of
United States Senate ; born in Aberdeen
J. James Exon (1921–2005), U.S. senator for Nebraska,
Governor of Nebraska ; born in
Geddes
Joe Foss (1915–2003),
Medal of Honor recipient, 20th Governor of South Dakota, first Commissioner of the
American Football League ; born in Sioux Falls
Ralph A. Gamble (1885–1959), U.S. Representative for New York; born in Yankton
John Hamre (born 1950), U.S. Deputy Secretary of Defense; born in Watertown
Hubert Humphrey (1911–1978), U.S. Senator, 38th Vice President of the U.S., 1968 Democratic presidential candidate; born in
Wallace
Muriel Humphrey Brown , U.S. Senator from Minnesota, Second Lady of the United States born in Huron
Bill Janklow (1939–2012), Governor 1979–1987 and 1995–2003; moved as teen to
Flandreau
Brendan Johnson (born 1975), 40th
U.S. Attorney for the District of South Dakota ; born in Vermillion
Tim Johnson (born 1946), U.S. Senator from South Dakota 1997–2015; born in
Canton
Arthur Larson (1910–1993), United States Under Secretary of Labor, lawyer, law professor; born in Sioux Falls
George McGovern (1922–2012), U.S. Senator from South Dakota, 1972 Democratic presidential candidate; born in
Avon
Karl E. Mundt (1900–1974), U.S. Senator and U.S. Representative; born in
Humboldt
Kristi Noem (born 1971), first female Governor of South Dakota and U.S. Representative from South Dakota; born in
Watertown
Larry Pressler (born 1942), three-term U.S. Senator from South Dakota; born in
Humboldt
Gladys Pyle (1890–1989), first female U.S. Senator from South Dakota; born in Huron
Mike Rounds (born 1954), current U.S. Senator from South Dakota, former Governor; born in Huron
Stephanie Herseth Sandlin (born 1970), U.S. Representative from South Dakota; born in
Houghton
Edward John Thye (1896–1969), U.S. Senator from Minnesota and 26th
Governor of Minnesota ; born in
Frederick
Terry Francona
Becky Hammon
Brock Lesnar
Mike Miller
Adam Vinatieri
Sparky Anderson (1934–2010), Baseball Hall of Fame manager of
Cincinnati Reds and
Detroit Tigers ; born in
Bridgewater
Michael Andrew (born 1999), Olympic
swimmer ; raised in
Aberdeen
[5]
Shayna Baszler (born 1980), mixed martial artist; born in Sioux Falls
James Bausch (1906–1974), athlete, decathlon gold medalist at
1932 Summer Olympics ; born in
Marion
Curt Byrum (born 1958), professional golfer,
PGA Tour ; Onida
Tom Byrum (born 1960), professional golfer,
PGA Tour ,
PGA Tour Champions ; Onida
Dallas Clark (born 1979),
tight end for the
Tampa Bay Buccaneers ; born in Sioux Falls
Dave Collins , baseball player; born in
Rapid City
Jessi Combs (1980–2019), professional racer, female land-speed world record holder, and TV personality; born in Rockerville
Sean Doolittle (born 1986), baseball player; born in Rapid City
Justin Duchscherer (born 1977), baseball player; born in Aberdeen
Mark Ellis (born 1977), baseball player; Rapid City
Keith Foulke (born 1972), baseball player, relief pitcher for
2004 World Series champion
Boston Red Sox ; born on Air Force base in South Dakota
Terry Francona (born 1959), baseball player,
manager of the Boston Red Sox and
Cleveland Indians ; born in Aberdeen
Chad Greenway (born 1983), linebacker for the
Minnesota Vikings ; born in
Mount Vernon
Marlene Hagge (1934–2023), golfer, member of
World Golf Hall of Fame ; born in Eureka
Becky Hammon (born 1977), basketball player and coach; born in Rapid City
Clare Jacobs (1886–1971), athlete, pole vault bronze medalist in 1908 Olympics; born in
Madison
Dennis Koslowski (born 1959),
Greco-Roman wrestler , two-time Olympic medalist; born in
Watertown
Duane Koslowski (born 1959), Greco-Roman wrestler, former Olympian; born in Watertown
Jason Kubel (born 1982),
outfielder for the
Arizona Diamondbacks ; born in
Belle Fourche
Ward Lambert (1888–1958), college basketball coach; born in Deadwood
Ben Leber , football player; attended high school in Vermillion
Brock Lesnar (born 1977), UFC fighter and WWE professional wrestler; born in
Webster
Randy Lewis (born 1959),
freestyle wrestler , 1984 Los Angeles Olympics gold medalist; born in Rapid City
Clarence "Pug" Manders (1913–1985), pro football running back; born in
Milbank
Jack Manders (1909–1977), pro football running back; born in Milbank
Mike Martz (born 1951), former NFL
head coach and
offensive coordinator ; born in Sioux Falls
Lincoln McIlravy (born 1974),
freestyle wrestler , 2000 Sydney Olympics bronze medalist; born in Rapid City
David Michaud (born 1988), UFC fighter; born in
Pine Ridge
Derek Miles (born 1972), Olympic pole vaulter; from
Tea
Tim Miles (born 1966), Big Ten basketball coach; born in
Huron
Mike Miller (born 1980), pro basketball player; born in
Mitchell
Billy Mills (born 1938), athlete, gold medalist in 1964 Olympics; born in Pine Ridge
[6]
Dale Moss (born 1988), football player and model; born in
Brandon
Gene Okerlund (1942-2019), Professional wrestling commentator; born in
Brookings
Eric Piatkowski (born 1970), pro basketball player; attended high school in Rapid City
Riley Reiff , football player for Minnesota Vikings; from
Parkston
Jared Reiner , basketball player; from
Tripp
Bill Scherr (born 1961),
freestyle wrestler , World Champion, four-time World medalist and Olympic bronze medalist; born in
Eureka
Wilbur Thompson (1921–2013), athlete, 1948 Summer Olympics gold medalist in shot put; born in
Frankfort
Derrek Tuszka (born 1997), pro football linebacker for the
Denver Broncos ; born in
Warner, SD
[7]
Shane Van Boening (born 1983), Professional pool player; born in
Rapid City
Norm Van Brocklin (1926–1983), football player; born in
Eagle Butte
Adam Vinatieri (born 1972),
NFL
placekicker ; born in Yankton
[8]
Brandon Wegher (born 1990), football player; born in
Dakota Dunes
Tom Brokaw
Bob Barker (1923-2023), television game show host; raised on the Rosebud Indian Reservation
[9]
Tom Brokaw (born 1940), television journalist, former
NBC Nightly News anchor; born in
Webster
[10]
Don Fedderson (1913–1994), television producer and creator,
My Three Sons ,
Family Affair ,
The Millionaire ; born in
Beresford
Mary Hart (born 1950), television personality (
Entertainment Tonight ); from
Madison , and Sioux Falls
[11]
Chelsea Houska (born 1991), television personality (
Teen Mom 2 )
Tomi Lahren (born 1992), conservative political commentator, host of
TheBlaze 's Tomi ; raised in Rapid City
[12]
Pat O'Brien (born 1948), sports commentator, television personality (
Access Hollywood ); born in Sioux Falls
[13]
Gary Owens (1934–2015), announcer for
Rowan & Martin's Laugh-In , radio disc jockey, voice actor; born in Mitchell
Wild Bill Hickok
Helen Morton Barker , social reformer
Gutzon Borglum , sculptor of
Mount Rushmore
Seth Bullock , first sheriff of Deadwood
K. G. William Dahl (1883–1917), Lutheran pastor, author and social advocate
Billy Etbauer , rodeo cowboy; born in Huron
Alvin Hansen , economist; born in Viborg
Wild Bill Hickok , Wild West lawman; lived in Deadwood
Calamity Jane , Wild West figure; lived in Deadwood
Frank Leahy , Notre Dame football coach; attended school in Winner
Lawrence Lessig , political activist; from Rapid City
Boyd McDonald , pornographer
Vernon C. Miller , outlaw and Huron lawman
Peter Norbeck , South Dakota governor and senator
[14]
William H. Parker , longtime Los Angeles police chief; born in
Lead
James "Scotty" Philip , rancher
James Edward Zimmerman , inventor; born in Lantry
Korczak Ziółkowski , sculptor of
Crazy Horse Memorial
^
"Sean Covel Seminars South Dakota | Television Producer in South Dakota | Red Roa" . Red Road Motion Pic . Retrieved August 23, 2020 .
^ American Writer , March 2017, Pp. 7-8
^
"Allen Neuharth" . South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from
the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008 .
^ Niels Ebbesen Hansen 1866–1950 (South Dakota History. Volume 17 Number 1)
"Dakota Profile - N. Hansen" . Archived from
the original on January 4, 2010. Retrieved 2009-09-02 .
^ Waltman, Scott (June 14, 2021).
"Former Aberdeen swimmer Michael Andrew qualifies for Tokyo Olympics" .
Aberdeen News . Retrieved July 21, 2021.
^ Sun, Rebecca. Catching up with Billy Mills
Olympics news, results, schedules, medal tracker - SI.com
Sports Illustrated . July 28, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
^ ((cite.web|url-
https://www.denverbroncos.com/team/players-roster/derrek-tuszka/ ))
^
"Adam Vinatieri" . New England Patriots. Archived from
the original on September 1, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-31 .
^
"Robert (Bob) Barker" . South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from
the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008 .
^
"Tom Brokaw" . South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from
the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008 .
^
"Mary Hart" . South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from
the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008 .
^
"Rapid City woman anchors political talk show at 22" . Rapid City Journal. Retrieved July 22, 2015 .
^
"Pat O'Brien" . South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from
the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008 .
^
"Peter Norbeck: Prairie Statesman" . Retrieved November 4, 2008 .