Famous People from South Dakota

Angela Aames (1956 - 1988) was an American actress known for her buxom blonde bombshell image. Born in Pierre, SD (1683)

Gertrude Bonnin (1876 - 1938) Sioux writer and pan-Indian activist. Born in Yankton Sioux Agency, SD (527)

Tom Brokaw (1940 - ) News anchor that hosts NBC Nightly News. Born in Webster, SD (524)

Sitting Bull (1831 - 1890) Chief of Hunkpappa Sioux. He defended Black HIlls, led the Teton Sioux to Canada, and was killed during arrest. Born in Grand River, SD (533)

Shawn Colvin (1956 - ) Is an American singer-songwriter and musician. Born in Vermillion, SD (1621)

Tom Daschle (1947 - ) Former U.S Senator. Today, he is a Special Policy Advisor at a law firm, a visiting professor at Georgetown University, and a Distinguished Senior Fellow at the Center for American Progress. Born in Aberdeen, SD (532)

Harvey Thomas Dunn (1884 - 1952) Was an American painter. He is best known for his prairie-intimate masterpiece, The Prairie is My Garden. Born in Manchester, SD (971)

Myron Floren (1919 - 2005) Was an American musician best known as the accordionist on The Lawrence Welk Show between 1950 and 1982. Myron Floren came to prominence primarily from his regular appearances on the weekly Lawrence Welk Show, where Lawrence often referred to him as the happy Norwegian. Born in Roslyn, SD (1620)

Joe Foss (1915 - 2003) Was the leading fighter ace of the United States Marine Corps during World War II and a 1943 recipient of the Medal of Honor, recognizing his role in the air combat during the Guadalcanal Campaign. Born in Sioux Falls, SD (1696)

Mary Hart (1950 - ) Co-host of Entertainment Tonight since 1982; Currently still co-hosts today. Born in Madison, SD (525)

Crazy Horse (1849 - 1877) Oglala Indian chief that fought for Sioux land from the U.S. government. Born in Blackhills, SD (526)

Oscar Howe (1915 - 1983) Was an American artist, who became well known for his casein paintings. Born in Joe Creek, SD (973)

Hubert Humphrey (1911 - 1978) Served as vice-president of the United States from 1965-1969. Born in Wallace, Codington, SD (529)

January Kristen Jones (1978 - ) Is an American actress most famous for her role as Betty Draper on the television show Mad Men. Born in Sioux Falls, SD (968)

Cheryl Ladd (1951 - ) Actress who was famous for her role in the TV series Charlie's Angels. Born in Huron, SD (528)

Rose Wilder Lane (1886 - 1968) Was an American journalist, travel writer, novelist, and political theorist. Born in De Smet, SD (975)

Ernest O. Lawrence (1901 - 1958) Nobel prize winning scientist that built the first cyclotron, a machine that smashes atoms. Born in Canton, SD (530)

Brock Lesnar (1977 - ) is an American mixed martial artist, actor and a former professional and amateur wrestler. Born in Webster, SD (1684)

Gary Owens (1936 - ) Is an American disc jockey and voice actor. His polished baritone speaking voice generally offers deadpan recitations of total nonsense, which he frequently demonstrated as the announcer on Rowan and Martin's Laugh-In. Born in Mitchell, SD (991)

Dorothy Provine (1937 - 2010) Is an American singer, dancer, actress and comedienne. Born in Deadwood, SD (969)

Terry Avon Redlin (1937 - ) Is an American artist. His paintings on outdoor themes and wildlife, often pictured in twilight, are widely collected as prints. For eight consecutive years, 1991 through 1998, Redlin was named America's Most Popular Artist in annual gallery surveys conducted by U.S. Art magazine. Born in Watertown, SD (974)

Casey Duane Tibbs (1929 - 1990) Was an American cowboy, rodeo performer, and actor. Born in Fort Pierre, SD (970)

Steve Treague (1954 - ) Steve and his wife Faith Treague (Hartford, SD) are the only couple in the U.S. independently producing a national/international television series for children currently airing and in production. Their program, "The BURNNIE Show" has received an Emmy nomination for 2012 which is another first due to their not being connected to any broadcast company and working with an all volunteer crew. Born in , SD (1694)

Norm Van Brocklin (1926 - 1983) Football player; Played for the University of Oregon, the Los Angeles Rams, and the Philadelphia Eagles. Born in Eagle Butte, SD (531)

Floyd "Red Crow" Westerman (1936 - 2007) Was a Sioux musician, political activist and actor. After establishing a career as a country music singer, later in his life, he became a leading actor depicting Native Americans in American films and television. He is sometimes credited simply as Floyd Westerman. He worked as a political activist for Native American causes. Born in Lake Traverse Reservation, SD (1618)