List of people from South Dakota

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.

This is a dynamic list and may never be able to satisfy particular standards for completeness. You can help by adding missing items with reliable sources.

Academia

• 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

Actors and filmmakers

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

Artists

• 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

Authors and poets

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

Business

Gene Amdahl

• Gene Amdahl (1922–2015), chief architect of IBM mainframe computer; born in Flandreau
• Al Neuharth (1924–2013), founder of USA Today , born in Eureka ^[3]
• Lee Raymond (born 1938), CEO and chairman of ExxonMobil Corporation; born in Watertown
• Joseph Robbie, owned NFL's Miami Dolphins; born in Sisseton
• Tom Patterson, founder of Tommy John, born in Milbank

Military

• Oscar Randolph Fladmark (1922–1955), WWII and Korean War pilot; Distinguished Flying Cross recipient; lived in Sioux Falls, born in Moe
• David C. Jones (1921–2013), retired U.S. Air Force general, former Chairman Joint Chiefs of Staff; born in Aberdeen
• Touch the Clouds (c. 1837–1905), Native American chief; later Indian Scout and Sergeant in the US army

Music

• Joey Clement, band member of Selena Gomez & the Scene; born in Rapid City
• Shawn Colvin (born 1956), Grammy Award-winning musician; born in Vermillion
• Jacob Christensen (born 1994), musical artist by the name NakeyJakey.
• 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

Native Americans

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

Politics and government

See also: List of Governors of South Dakota, List of Governors of Dakota Territory, List of Speakers of the South Dakota House of Representatives, List of United States Representatives from South Dakota, and List of United States Senators from South Dakota

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

Science

• Bob Burris (1914–2010), biochemist; elected to the NAS; contributed to our understanding of biological nitrogen fixation; born in Brookings
• Niels Ebbesen Hansen (1866–1950), horticulturist and botanist ^[4]
• Ernest O. Lawrence (1901–1958), physicist, Nobel Prize winner, built first cyclotron; born in Canton
• John Mortvedt (1932–2012), agronomist and soil scientist who was the world's leading expert on micronutrients; born and raised on a farm near Dell Rapids

Sports

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

Television

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

Uncategorized

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]
• Mary E. Norton (1833-1916), Congregational minister and home missionary worker
• 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

See also

• Biography portal
• South Dakota portal
• United States portal
• Lists portal

• List of people from Rapid City, South Dakota
• List of South Dakota suffragists
• List of University of South Dakota people

References

1. "Sean Covel Seminars South Dakota | Television Producer in South Dakota | Red Roa". Red Road Motion Pic. Retrieved August 23, 2020.
2. American Writer, March 2017, Pp. 7-8
3. "Allen Neuharth". South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
4. 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.
5. Waltman, Scott (June 14, 2021). "Former Aberdeen swimmer Michael Andrew qualifies for Tokyo Olympics". Aberdeen News . Retrieved July 21, 2021.
6. Sun, Rebecca. Catching up with Billy Mills Olympics news, results, schedules, medal tracker - SI.com Sports Illustrated . July 28, 2008. Retrieved December 31, 2008.
7. ((cite.web|url-https://www.denverbroncos.com/team/players-roster/derrek-tuszka/))
8. "Adam Vinatieri". New England Patriots. Archived from the original on September 1, 2007. Retrieved 2008-12-31.
9. "Robert (Bob) Barker". South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
10. "Tom Brokaw". South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
11. "Mary Hart". South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
12. "Rapid City woman anchors political talk show at 22". Rapid City Journal. Retrieved July 22, 2015.
13. "Pat O'Brien". South Dakota Hall of Fame. Archived from the original on December 28, 2008. Retrieved December 13, 2008.
14. "Peter Norbeck: Prairie Statesman" . Retrieved November 4, 2008.