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Famous People from South Dakota


Gertrude Bonnin (1876 - 1938) Born Zitkala-Sa. Sioux writer, editor, musician, teacher and political activist. She co-composed the first American Indian opera, The Sun Dance and founded the National Council of American Indians in 1926. She served as its president until her death. Born in Yankton Indian Reservation, SD (527)

Tom Brokaw (1940 - ) An American television journalist and author. He is the only person to host all three major NBC News programs: The Today Show, NBC Nightly News and Meet the Press. Born in Webster, SD (524)

Sitting Bull (1831 - 1890) A Hunkpapa Lakota holy man and tribal chief. He led his people during years of resistance to the U.S. government. He surrendered to U.S. forces in 1881. Born in Grand River, SD (533)

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

Tom Daschle (1947 - ) A policy advisor, lobbyist, former U.S. Senator from South Dakota and former U.S. Senate Majority Leader. Born in Aberdeen, SD (532)

Harvey Thomas Dunn (1884 - 1952) 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) An American musician best known as the accordionist on The Lawrence Welk Show between 1950 and 1982. Born in Roslyn, SD (1620)

Joe Foss (1915 - 2003) The leading fighter ace of the United States Marine Corps during World War II. He became a general in the Air National Guard, the 20th Governor of South Dakota and was the first commissioner of the American Football League. Born in Sioux Falls, SD (1696)

Mary Hart (1950 - ) Born Mary Johanna Harum. An American Television personality. She was the host of Entertainment Tonight from 1982 to 2011. She was Miss South Dakota 1970. Born in Madison, SD (525)

Crazy Horse (1849 - 1877) A Native American war leader of the Oglala Lakota. He led a war party to victory at the Battle of the Little Bighorn in 1876. Born in Blackhills, SD (526)

Oscar Howe (1915 - 1983) His native name is Mazuha Hokshina. He was an Yanktonai Dakota artist who was well known for his casein and tempera paintings. Born in Joe Creek, SD (973)

Hubert Humphrey (1911 - 1978) Served as the 38th Vice President of the United States from 1965-1969 under President Lyndon B. Johnson. He also served twice in the U.S. Senate and was the nominee of the Democratic Party in the 1968 presidential election. Born in Wallace, SD (529)



January Kristen Jones (1978 - ) An American actress most famous for her role as Betty Draper on the television show Mad Men. Other credits include roles in American Wedding, Unknown, and X-Men: First Class. Born in Sioux Falls, SD (968)

Cheryl Ladd (1951 - ) Born Cheryl Jean Stoppelmoor. An American actress, singer and author. Best known for her role in the TV series Charlie's Angels. Born in Huron, SD (528)

Rose Wilder Lane (1886 - 1968) An American journalist, travel writer, novelist, and political theorist. One of the founding mothers of the American libertarian movement. First child of Laura Ingalls Wilder. Born in De Smet, SD (975)

Ernest O. Lawrence (1901 - 1958) An American nuclear scientist and winner of the Nobel Prize in Physics in 1939 for his invention of the cyclotron. Born in Canton, SD (530)

Brock Lesnar (1977 - ) An American professional wrestler, former American football defensive tackle and professional mixed martial artist. Born in Webster, SD (1684)

Gary Owens (1934 - 2015) Born Gary Bernard Altman. An American disc jockey and voice actor. He was best known as the announcer on Laugh-In. Born in Mitchell, SD (991)

Dorothy Provine (1937 - 2010) An American singer, dancer, actress and comedienne. Some of her roles include The Great Race, That Darn Cat! and Never a Dull Moment. Born in Deadwood, SD (969)

Terry Avon Redlin (1937 - ) An American artist popular for painting outdoor themes and wildlife. Born in Watertown, SD (974)

Casey Duane Tibbs (1929 - 1990) An American cowboy, rodeo performer, and actor. He held the "World All-Around Rodeo Champion" title twice, in 1951 and 1955. Born in Fort Pierre, SD (970)

Steve Treague (1954 - ) Steve and his wife Faith are the creators of the television show "The Burnnie Show" which is a national/international television series for children. Born in , SD (1694)

Norm Van Brocklin (1926 - 1983) An American football quarterback, punter, and coach in the National Football League. He was nicknamed "The Dutchman." Born in Eagle Butte, SD (531)

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