Notable People from South Dakota

Edith Green

American politician (1910–1987)

Robert H. Burris

American biochemist

Jerry verDorn

American actor (1949–2022)

Layne Flack

American professional poker player (1969–2021)

David Premack

American psychologist

John Fire Lame Deer

Lakota holy man, member of the Heyoka society (1903–1976)

John C. Waldron

Recipient of the Purple Heart medal (1900–1942)

Ralph Herseth

Governors of South Dakota (1909-1969)

Med Park

American basketball player (1933-1998)

Anthony Allen Shore

American serial killer

David B. Wake

American evolutionary biologist (1936–2021)

James Paul Johnson

American politician

Casey Tibbs

American rodeo performer and actor (1929-1990)

Mary Brave Bird

Lakota author and indigenous rights activist (1954–2013)

Oscar Howe

Yanktonai Dakota artist (1915-1983)

Fred Sherman

American actor (1905-1969)

Leslie Jensen

American politician (1892-1964)

Hazel Forbes

American actress and dancer (1910-1980)

Diane Gaidry

American actress (1964-2019)

Joan Tabor

American actress (1932-1968)

Leonard Crow Dog

Native American writer and activist

Barbara Robbins

The first female employee (and youngest) to be killed in action in the CIA's history and the first American woman killed in the Vietnam War

Joseph M. Marshall III

American Lakota author, actor, and educator from South Dakota

Ralph Abernethy Gamble

American politician (1885-1959)

Ray Ellefson

American basketball player (1927–1994)

Nels H. Smith

American politician (1884–1976)

Archie M. Gubbrud

American politician (1910-1987)

Conde Balcom McCullough

American bridge engineer (1887–1946)

Harry George Armstrong

United States Marine and aviation expert (1899-1983)

Eugene Luther Vidal

American commercial aviation pioneer and Olympic decathlete (1895-1969)

Herbert Spencer Barber

American entomologist (1882–1950)

Robert P. Multhauf

American historian of science (1919–2004)

Donald Lester Jackson

American politician (1910-1981)

Dave Bald Eagle

Lakota Chief

Charles R. Larson

United States admiral

Vivien Alcock

English author of children's books (1924–2003)

Marilyn Hagerty

journalist

George Barnes Grigsby

American politician

Herbert Spinden

American anthropologist, archeologist and art historian

Brother Jed

American evangelical preacher

Richard Barrett Lowe

Educator and governor of American Samoa and Guam

Amanda Clement

American baseball umpire (1888–1971)

Angelo Antonio Rizzuto

American photographer (1906–1967)

Thomas H. Werdel

American politician (1905–1966)

Running Antelope

19th century chief of the Hunkpapa Lakota

Neoma Judge

actress (1908-1978)

Lambert Anthony Hoch

Catholic bishop (1903-1990)

Alexander

magician (1880-1954)

Ward Lambert

American basketball player, coach, and administrator, baseball player and coach, American football player (1888-1958)

Edgar Bear Runner

actor