North Dakota Famous People

Famous Americans: History and Biographies

Links to histories and biographies of the famous people of North Dakota. Many famous people of North Dakota have made significant contributions to the history of our nation and the state of North Dakota. These famous Americans, famous entertainers, famous players, famous scientist, famous singers, famous statesmen, famous women, heroes, great explorers, and others North Dakota famous Americans have all made North Dakota their home. This list includes North Dakota historical figures, celebrities and those individuals of North Dakota who have influenced the lives of others.

Famous People

• Elizabeth Bodine (1898 - 1986) Humanitarian.
• Gen. George Armstrong Custer (1839 - 1876) and the 7th Cavalry were stationed at Fort Abraham Lincoln outside Mandan. In 1876, they left on the journey that ended at the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
• Angie Dickinson (1931 - ) Actress; born in Kulm.
• William H. Gass (1924 - ) Writer and philosopher. He wrote Omensetter's Luck and a book of short stories called In the Heart of the Heart of the Country; born in Fargo.
• Phil Jackson (1945 - ) Basketball player and coach; grew up in Williston and played college basketball for the University of North Dakota.
• Norman Kittson (1814 - 1888) Fur trader and transportation entrepreneur. His ventures helped open the Red River Valley to settlement.
• Louis L'Amour (1908 - 1988) Author known for his vivid descriptions of frontier life; grew up in Jamestown.
• Peggy Lee (1920 - ) Singer; born in Jamestown.
• Meriwether Lewis (1774 - 1809) and William Clark (1770 - 1838) led the Corps of Discovery through North Dakota, where they spent the winter of 1804-1805 near Washburn at Fort Mandan.
• Cliff Fido Purpur (1914 - 2001) First North Dakota native to become a National Hockey League player; born in Grand Forks.
• Teddy Roosevelt (1858 - 1919) Ranched near Medora and credited his Badlands experience from 1883-1886 for molding him into a president.
• Sacagawea (c. 1790-1812 or 1884) Shoshoni Indian woman who, with her husband Toussaint Charbonneau, served as interpreter and guide for the Lewis & Clark Expedition.
• Sitting Bull (1831 - 1890) Lived the last years of his life at Standing Rock Sioux Reservation, near Fort Yates.

More Famous People of North Dakota

• Dr. Robert H. Bahmer US archivist
• Dr. Anne Carlsen educator
• Ronald N. Davies jurist
• Ivan Dmitre artist
• John Bernard Flannagan sculptor, Fargo
• Phyllis Frelich actress, Devils Lake
• Rev. Richard C. Halverson US Senate chaplain
• Dr. Leon O. Jacobson researcher, educator, Sims
• Harold K. Johnson army general
• William Lemke representative
• Marquis de Mores cattleman
• Casper Oimoen skier
• Arthur Peterson radio and TV actor
• James Rosenquist painter, Grand Forks
• Eric Sevareid TV commentator, Velva
• Ann Sothern actress, Valley City
• Dorothy Stickney actress Dickinson
• Edward K. Thompson editor
• Era Bell Thompson editor
• Tommy Tucker band leader, Souris
• Lawrence Welk band leader, entertainer, Strasburg
• Larry Woiwode writer