Famous People from North Dakota

Lynn Rene Anderson (1947 - ) Is an American country music singer and horse racer, best known for her Grammy Award-winning, country crossover mega-hit, "(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden." Anderson was one of the most popular female country singers of the 1970s, helped by her regular exposure on national television. She has scored eight #1s, 18 Top Tens and over 50 Top 40 hits. Born in Grand Forks, ND (777)

Richard Keith "Dick" Armey (1940 - ) Is a former U.S. Representative from Texas's 26th congressional district (1985-2003) and House Majority Leader (1995-2003). He was one of the engineers of the "Republican Revolution" of the 1990s, in which Republicans were elected to majorities of both houses of Congress for the first time in four decades. Armey was one of the chief authors of the Contract with America. Armey is also an author and former professor. After his congressional career he worked as a consultant and advisor. Born in Cando, ND (778)

Leslie Louise Bibb (1974 - ) Is an American actress and former fashion model. Born in Bismarck, ND (779)

Quentin Northrup Burdick (1908 - 1992) Was a United States Senator from North Dakota from August 8, 1960 until his death in 1992. Prior to that he had served in the United States House of Representatives from January 3, 1959 to August 8, 1960. He was the son of NPL North Dakota Congressman Usher L. Burdick. Born in Munich, ND (780)

Warren Minor Christopher (1925 - ) Is an American diplomat, lawyer, and public servant. During Bill Clinton's first term as President, Christopher served as the 63rd Secretary of State. He also served as Deputy Attorney General in the Lyndon Johnson administration, and as Deputy Secretary of State in the Jimmy Carter administration. Born in Scranton, ND (781)

Angie Dickinson (1931 - ) Famous American actress who is well-known for her role as Seargent Leann "Pepper" Anderson in Police Woman. Born in Kulm, ND (433)

Sally Fraser (1932 - ) Is an American actress who appeared on television and in numerous films. She became best known for appearing in low-budget science fiction films of the 1950s. Born in Williston, ND (1582)

Phyllis Frelich (1944 - ) Is an American actress, and, with Marlee Matlin, one of the two pre-eminent deaf actresses in the United States. Born in Devils Lake, ND (1581)

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, ND (440)

Kam Heskin (1973 - ) Is an American actress best known for her roles as the second Caitlin Richards Deschanel on NBC's soap opera Sunset Beach (1998-1999) and as her role as Paige Morgan in the The Prince and Me sequels. Born in Grand Forks, ND (1580)

Harold Keith "Johnny" Johnson (1912 - 1983) Was a United States General. He served as the Chief of Staff of the United States Army from 1964 to 1968. Born in Bowesmont, ND (1579)

Lang Jonny (1981 - ) I a Grammy award-winning American blues, gospel, and rock singer, songwriter and recording artist. Born in Fargo, ND (1578)

Peggy Lee (1920 - 2002) An American Jazz and Traditional Pop singer. She is also an Oscar nominated performer. Born in Jamestown, ND (434)

Louis L'Amour (1908 - 1988) Author known for his vivid descriptions of frontier life. Born in Jamestown, ND (432)

Jan Maxwell (1956 - ) Is an American stage and television actress. Born in Fargo, ND (782)

Cliff "Fido" Purpur (1912 - 2001) First North Dakota native to become a National Hockey League player; He played for the St. Louis Eagles, the Chicago Blackhawks, and the Detroit Red Wings. Born in Grand Forks, ND (439)

Bobbie Vee (1943 - ) Is an American pop music singer. According to Billboard magazine, Vee has had 38 Hot 100 chart hits, 10 of which hit the Top 20. Born in Fargo, ND (783)

Harley Venton (1953 - ) Is an American actor. Venton first became known for playing the role of attorney Derek Colby on the long running CBS soap opera, Guiding Light from 1979 to 1982. Born in Jamestown, ND (1577)

Lawrence Welk (1903 - 1992) Was an American musician, accordionist, bandleader, and television impresario, hosting The Lawrence Welk Show from 1955 to 1982. His style came to be known to his large number of radio, television, and live-performance fans as "champagne music." Born in Strasburg, ND (784)

Natalie West (1956 - ) Is an American actress. Born in Grand Forks, ND (1575)

Gabrielle D. "Gabby" West (1985 - ) Is an American actress. She won a role in Saw 3D in a competition on the reality show Scream Queens. Born in Bismarck, ND (1576)