List of Famous people born in South Dakota, United States of America
Todd Tiahrt
William Todd Tiahrt is an American politician who served as the U.S. Representative for Kansas's 4th congressional district from 1995 to 2011. A member of the Republican Party, he unsuccessfully ran in 2010 for the United States Senate seat being vacated by Sam Brownback. He lost to fellow Republican U.S. Representative Jerry Moran of Hays, Kansas, 50%–45%. After the primary election, Tiahrt endorsed Moran for the general election.
Michael Spears
Michael Spears is an American actor. He is a member of the Kul Wicasa Oyate Lakota Lower Brulé Tribe of South Dakota.
Charles D. Gemar
Charles Donald "Sam" Gemar is an American former astronaut with NASA and a lieutenant colonel in the United States Army. Gemar has flown on three Space Shuttle missions. Gemar has completed 385 orbits of the Earth and over 581 hours in space. He has also served in different positions in NASA, including as a CAPCOM for Shuttle missions. Gemar was the first astronaut to be born in the state of South Dakota.
Brad Walker
Brad Walker is an American pole vaulter. He was the American recordholder and was the 2007 World Champion in the event.
Eddie Spears
Edward Spears is a Native American actor. He is a member of the Kul Wicasa Oyate Lakota Lower Brulé Sioux Tribe of South Dakota.
Kevin Brady
Kevin Patrick Brady is the U.S. Representative for Texas's 8th congressional district, serving since 1997. He is a member of the Republican Party. The 8th district includes a large swath of suburban and rural territory north of Houston.
Michael E. Fossum
Michael Edward Fossum is a former American astronaut, engineer, and the Chief Operating Officer of Texas A&M University at Galveston. He flew into space on board the NASA Space Shuttle missions STS-121 and STS-124 and served as a mission specialist of Expedition 28 and commander of Expedition 29 aboard the International Space Station.
Frank Farrar
Frank Leroy Farrar is an American politician who was the 24th Governor of South Dakota. A Republican from Britton, he served as the state's attorney general from 1963 to 1969, and as governor from 1969 to 1971. After leaving office, he chaired several holding companies and became the owner of numerous banks.
James Abourezk
James George Abourezk is an American attorney and politician who served as a United States Representative and United States Senator from South Dakota. He was the first Greek Orthodox Christian of Lebanese-Antiochite descent to serve in the United States Senate. He was generally viewed as critical of US foreign policy in the Middle-East and North Africa (MENA) area, particularly regarding Palestine and Israel.
Pat O'Brien
Patrick John O'Brien is an American author and radio host, best known for his work as a sportscaster with CBS Sports from 1981 to 1997, as well as his work as the anchor and host of Access Hollywood from 1997 to 2004, and The Insider from 2004 to 2008.