List of people from Fargo, North Dakota

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The following list includes notable people who were born or have lived in Fargo, North Dakota.

Contents

Astronauts

NameImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference
James Buchli James Buchli.jpg Jun 20, 1945 United States Marine aviator; NASA astronaut; flew on four Space Shuttle missionsGraduated from Fargo Central High School

Media

NameImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference
Richard Edlund Richard Edlund 1 (2).jpg Dec 6, 1940Multiple Academy Award-winning visual effects artist for Star Wars , The Empire Strikes Back , Raiders of the Lost Ark , Return of the Jedi , and Ghostbusters Born in Fargo
CariDee English Caridee english by mike kortoci.jpg Sep 23, 1984Winner of America's Next Top Model, Cycle 7 Born in Fargo
William H. Gass William Gass 2011 Shankbone.jpg Jul 30, 1924Dec 6, 2017WriterBorn in Fargo
Chuck Klosterman Chuck Klosterman in Minneapolis, Minn. on Sept. 20, 2009.jpg Jun 5, 1972Author and journalist ( Spin , Esquire , ESPN)Lived in Fargo
James Lileks Aug 9, 1958Writer, journalist, and bloggerBorn in Fargo
Audra Mari Jan 8, 1994Model, television host, and beauty pageant titleholderAttended Davies High School in Fargo [1]
Carey McWilliams Jul 5, 1973Blind marksman and authorBorn in Fargo
Amber Preston Stand-up comedianBorn in Fargo; 1996 graduate of West Fargo High School [2]
Adam Quesnell Stand-up comedianLived in Fargo
Kristin Rudrüd May 23, 1955Actress, known for starring in the films Fargo and Pleasantville Born in Fargo
Roxana Saberi Roxana Saberi speaking.jpg Apr 26, 1977Journalist, 1997 Miss North Dakota Worked at KVLY-TV
Ed Schultz Ed Schultz.jpg Jan 27, 1954Jul 5, 2018Host of The Ed Show, a weekday news talk program, and The Ed Schultz Show, a talk radio showWorked at KTHI-TV, WDAY-TV, and KFGO in Fargo [3]
Ari Shapiro Ari Shapiro at College of DuPage 2012 (8188282489).jpg Sep 30, 1978Reporter (NPR)Born in Fargo
Jon L. Wanzek Jon Wanzek.jpg May 10, 1964Film producerLives in Fargo

Musicians and singers

NameImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference
The Blenders Vocal quartet
Virginia Bruce Virginia Bruce 1939.jpg Sep 29, 1910Feb 24, 1982Singer and actress, starred in such films as Born to Dance and The Great Ziegfeld Grew up in Fargo
Shannon Curfman Jul 31, 1985Blues guitarist and singerBorn in Fargo
Dakota Dave Hull Apr 19, 1950Acoustic fingerstyle guitarist and music historianBorn in Fargo [4]
Jonny Lang Jonny Lang (gospel singer).jpg Jan 29, 1981Blues guitarist and singerBorn in Fargo
Peter Schickele Peter Schickele.jpg Jul 17, 1935Jan 16, 2024Musical composer (alter ego of PDQ Bach)
Frank Scott Jul 21, 1921Oct 5, 1995Musician and arranger with the Lawrence Welk orchestraBorn in Fargo
Bobby Vee Bobby Vee.jpg Apr 30, 1943Oct 24, 20161960s era pop music singerBorn in Fargo

Sports

NameImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference
Dan Arnold Mar 15, 1996Tight end for the New Orleans Saints 2017–2019, Arizona Cardinals 2019–2020, Carolina Panthers 2021–2021, Jacksonville Jaguars 2021-2022, Philadelphia Eagles 2023-2023; free agent 2023-presentPlayed football at Shanley High School in Fargo
Henry Luke Bolley Feb 1, 1865Nov 9, 1956First North Dakota State University football coach; plant pathologistLived and died in Fargo
Jim Brandt May 19, 1929NFL and CFL playerBorn in Fargo
Joe Burrow Joe Burrow (SELU vs LSU, September 8, 2018).jpg Dec 10, 1996Quarterback for the LSU, 2019 Heisman Trophy winner, 2019–2020 College Football National Champion, NFL Pick No.1, quarterback for the Cincinnati Bengals Attended Centennial Elementary School while his father was on the coaching staff for the NDSU Bison [5]
Chris Coste DSC02726 Chris Coste.jpg Feb 4, 1973 Major League Baseball catcherBorn in Fargo
Kyle Emanuel Kyle Emanuel.JPG Aug 16, 1991NFL linebacker for the Los Angeles Chargers 2015–2019Played football at North Dakota State University in Fargo, host of NDSU Bison Football Pregame Show on KVLY-TV
Paul Gaustad Paul Gaustad.jpg Feb 3, 1982Center for the Nashville Predators Born in Fargo
Andy Heck Jan 1, 1967Offensive line coach and player for the Kansas City Chiefs Born in Fargo
Gary Larsen G Larsen (cropped).png Mar 13, 1942Defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings' Purple People Eaters Born in Fargo
Roger Maris Roger Maris 1960.png Sep 10, 1934Dec 14, 1985Outfielder for the Cleveland Indians, Kansas City Athletics, New York Yankees and St. Louis Cardinals; American League Most Valuable Player in 1960 and 1961Raised in Fargo and graduate of Shanley High School
Connor McGovern Connor McGovern.JPG Apr 27, 1993Center for the Denver Broncos 2016–2019, center who is a free agent New York Jets 2020–2023Played football at Shanley High School in Fargo
John Noah Nov 21, 1927Sep 3, 2015Silver medalist at the 1952 Winter Olympics Lived and died in Fargo
Donny Schatz 2007 Kings Royal Champ - Donny Schatz.jpg Aug 10, 1977Driver for the World of Outlaws
Easton Stick Sep 15, 1995Quarterback for the Los Angeles Chargers, No.166 Overall NFL Draft PickPlayed football at North Dakota State University in Fargo
Erik Swanson Sep 4, 1993Relief pitcher for the Toronto Blue Jays, formerly played for the Seattle Mariners
William Turner Billy Turner (American football).JPG Oct 17, 1991NFL guard who is a free agent Played football at North Dakota State University in Fargo
Carson Wentz CarsonWentz11.jpg Dec 30, 1992Quarterback for the Kansas City Chiefs, No.2 overall NFL draft pick by the Philadelphia Eagles, Super Bowl Champion (LII)Played football at North Dakota State University in Fargo

Statesmen (religious and political)

NameImageBirthDeathKnown forAssociationReference
Doug Burgum

Doug Burgum.jpg

Aug 1, 195633rd governor of North Dakota (2016–present)

Candidate for President in 2024

Graduate of North Dakota State University, lived in Fargo
Ronald N. Davies Dec 11, 1904Apr 18, 1996Federal judge for the district of North Dakota (1955–1985)Lived and died in Fargo
Leo Ferdinand Dworschak Apr 6, 1900Nov 5, 1976Roman Catholic bishop of Fargo
Aloisius Joseph Muench Bundesarchiv B 145 Bild-F007416-0008, Bahnhof Bonn, Verabschiedung Apostolischer Nuntius.jpg Feb 18, 1889Feb 15, 1962Roman Catholic bishop of Fargo
Ilhan Omar

Ilhan Omar, official portrait, 116th Congress (cropped).jpg

Oct 4, 1982US congresswoman from MinnesotaGraduated North Dakota State University
Collin Peterson Collin Peterson, Official Portrait, c.112th Congress.jpg Jun 29, 1944US congressman from Minnesota Born in Fargo
Ed Schafer Ed Schafer -- February 2008.jpg Aug 8, 194630th governor of North Dakota (1992–2000), 29th United States Secretary of Agriculture under George W. Bush Lives in Fargo
George A. Sinner May 29, 1928Mar 9, 201829th governor of North Dakota (1985–1992)Born in Fargo
Burleigh F. Spalding Spalding23.jpg Dec 3, 1853Mar 17, 1934US congressmanLived and died in Fargo
Evan S. Tyler Mar 22, 1843Aug 24, 1923North Dakota state congressmanLived and died in Fargo

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">North Dakota</span> U.S. state

North Dakota is a landlocked U.S. state in the Upper Midwest, named after the indigenous Dakota Sioux. It is bordered by the Canadian provinces of Saskatchewan and Manitoba to the north and by the U.S. states of Minnesota to the east, South Dakota to the south, and Montana to the west. North Dakota is part of the Great Plains region, characterized by broad prairies, steppe, temperate savanna, badlands, and farmland. North Dakota is the 19th largest state, but with a population of less than 780,000, it is the 4th least populous and 4th most sparsely populated. The state capital is Bismarck while the most populous city is Fargo, which accounts for nearly a fifth of the state's population; both cities are among the fastest-growing in the U.S., although half of all residents live in rural areas.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cass County, North Dakota</span> County in North Dakota, United States

Cass County is a county in the U.S. state of North Dakota. As of the 2020 census, the population was 184,525. Cass County is the most populous county in North Dakota, accounting for nearly 24% of the state's population. The county seat is Fargo, the state's most populous city. The county is named for George Washington Cass, president of the Northern Pacific Railway from 1872 to 1875. It is the only Cass County in the United States that is not named after Lewis Cass.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Fargo, North Dakota</span> City in North Dakota, United States

Fargo is a city in and the county seat of Cass County, North Dakota, United States. According to the 2020 census, its population was 125,990, making it the most populous city in the state and the 216th most populous city in the United States. Fargo, along with its twin city of Moorhead, Minnesota, and the adjacent cities of West Fargo, North Dakota and Dilworth, Minnesota, form the core of the Fargo–Moorhead, ND-MN Metropolitan Statistical Area (MSA). The MSA had a population of 248,591 in 2020.

<i>Fargo</i> (1996 film) 1996 film

Fargo is a 1996 black comedy crime film written, directed and produced by Joel and Ethan Coen. Frances McDormand stars as Marge Gunderson, a pregnant Minnesota police chief investigating a triple homicide that takes place after a desperate car salesman hires two criminals to kidnap his wife in order to extort a hefty ransom from her wealthy father. The film was an American and British co-production.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Hector International Airport</span> Airport in Fargo, North Dakota

Hector International Airport is a civil-military public airport three miles (5 km) northwest of Fargo, in Cass County, North Dakota, United States. The busiest airport in North Dakota, it is owned by the City of Fargo Municipal Airport Authority. Fargo Air National Guard Base is located adjacent to the airport.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mark Andrews (politician)</span> American politician (1926–2020)

Mark Andrews was an American politician from the state of North Dakota. He was a member of the Republican Party who served in both chambers of the United States Congress, the United States House of Representatives from 1963 to 1981 and the United States Senate from 1981 to 1987.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Newman Outdoor Field</span>

Newman Outdoor Field is a baseball stadium in Fargo, North Dakota. It is located on the campus of North Dakota State University and is the home of the independent American Association's Fargo-Moorhead RedHawks and the North Dakota State Bison baseball team.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">KFGO (AM)</span> Radio station in Fargo, North Dakota

KFGO is an AM radio station in the United States. Licensed to Fargo, North Dakota, KFGO broadcasts a news and talk radio format serving the Fargo-Moorhead metropolitan area, branded "The Mighty 790, 94.1, and 104.7". The station is currently owned by Midwest Communications Inc. All the offices and studios are located at 1020 S. 25th Street in Fargo, while its transmitter array is located north of Oxbow. It is an affiliate of the CBS Radio Network. KFGO is simulcast on KFGO-FM and translator K231CV.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Roman Catholic Diocese of Fargo</span> Latin Catholic jurisdiction in North Dakota, United States

The Diocese of Fargo is a Latin Church ecclesiastical territory, or diocese, of the Catholic Church in eastern North Dakota in the United States. It is a suffragan diocese in the ecclesiastical province of the metropolitan Archdiocese of Saint Paul and Minneapolis.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Nickel Trophy</span> American college football rivalry

The Nickel Trophy is presented to the winner of the currently annual football game between the rival University of North Dakota (UND) Fighting Hawks and the North Dakota State University (NDSU) Bison. The two universities are approximately 76 miles apart on the eastern border of North Dakota. The two schools suspended play in 2003 and resumed play in 2015. In the entire history of the rivalry, the game has never been contested anywhere beside Grand Forks or Fargo.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Drew Wrigley</span> Attorney General of North Dakota since 2022

Drew Howard Wrigley is an American attorney, lawyer, and politician from North Dakota. Wrigley currently serves as the attorney general of North Dakota after being appointed to the position by Governor Doug Burgum following the death of Wayne Stenehjem. Wrigley had previously declared his candidacy for the office in early January 2022. Wrigley was elected to a four-year term in November 2022, garnering 71% of the vote. Wrigley previously served as the United States Attorney for the District of North Dakota from 2001 to 2009 and again from 2019 to 2021, appointed by President George W. Bush and Donald Trump, respectively. Between his terms as United States attorney, Wrigley served as the 37th lieutenant governor of North Dakota from 2010 to 2016.

<i>Fargo</i> (TV series) American crime drama television series

Fargo is an American black comedy crime drama television series created and primarily written by Noah Hawley. It is based on the 1996 film of the same name, which was written and directed by the Coen brothers, and takes place in the American Midwest, primarily Minnesota, within the same continuity as the film. The Coens were impressed by Hawley's script and agreed to be named as executive producers. The series premiered on April 15, 2014, on FX, and follows an anthology format, with each season set in a different era and location, with a different story and mostly new characters and cast, although there is minor overlap. Each season is heavily influenced by various Coen brothers films, with each containing numerous references to them.

The state of North Dakota has improved in its treatment of lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender residents in the late 1990s and into the 21st Century, when the LGBT community began to openly establish events, organizations and outlets for fellow LGBT residents and allies, and increase in political and community awareness.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Doug Burgum</span> 33rd governor of North Dakota (born 1956)

Douglas James Burgum is an American businessman and politician serving since 2016 as the 33rd governor of North Dakota. He is among the wealthiest governors in the U.S., with an estimated net worth of $1.1 billion. A member of the Republican Party, Burgum was a candidate in the 2024 United States presidential election.

Austen Schauer is an American politician. He is a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives from District 13. He is a member of the Republican Party. He currently lives in West Fargo, North Dakota. He is married to Angela Tracy, who he had 3 children with.

Thomas Beadle is an American politician from the state of North Dakota. A Republican, he is the North Dakota State Treasurer. Beadle was previously a member of the North Dakota House of Representatives.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election</span> Election for the governor of North Dakota

The 2024 North Dakota gubernatorial election will be held on November 5, 2024, to elect the governor of North Dakota, concurrently with the U.S. presidential election, as well as various other federal, state, and local elections. Primary elections will take place on June 11, 2024.

Cordell Volson is an American football guard for the Cincinnati Bengals of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Dakota State.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Cody Mauch</span> American football player (born 1999)

Cody Mauch is an American football guard for the Tampa Bay Buccaneers of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at North Dakota State.

References

  1. "Changes ahead for Fargo's own Miss World America".
  2. Lamb, John (February 12, 2014). "Look who's laughing now: West Fargo graduate returns to headline comedy club opening". Forum. Fargo, North Dakota. Retrieved April 20, 2020.
  3. Donovan, Lauren (February 17, 2002). "Ed Schultz: He's live and he takes 'em cold on his weekday radio program". Bismarck Tribune. Retrieved April 28, 2012.
  4. Clark, Jerome (Winter 2006). "Dakota Dave Hull: Voodoo King of the Acoustic Guitar" (PDF). Sing Out! . Vol. 49, no. 4. pp. 65–70. Retrieved July 31, 2020.
  5. "UPDATE: It was tough on two Fargo second graders the day Joe Burrow moved to Ohio".