People from the state of Kansas who have achieved fame or note include:
- Vernon L. Smith, Nobel Prize winner in Economics born and raised in Wichita, Kansas.
- Jack S. Kilby, Nobel Prize winner in Physics born and raised in Great Bend, Kansas.
- Jesse Unruh, California politician, born and raised in Newton, Kansas.
- Bob Dole, (born 1923), politician, Senator, Presidential Candidate, Russell, Kansas.
- Alf Landon, Governor, Presidential Candidate, Topeka, Kansas.
- Marlin Fitzwater Press Secretary, for Presidents Ronald Reagan and George Herbert Walker Bush, Abilene, Kansas.
- Satanta, Chief of the Kiowa tribe, Western Kansas.
- Gordon Parks, (born 1912), film director, born and raised in Fort Scott, Kansas.
- Dennis Hopper, (born 1936), actor, born in Dodge City, Kansas.
- Kirstie Alley, (born 1955), Actress, Wichita, Kansas.
- Don Johnson, (born 1959), actor, born and raised in Wichita, Kansas.
- Loren Entz, western artist, Whitewater, Kansas.
- Blackbear Bosin, (1921-1980), native American artist, Wichita, Kansas.
- Langston Hughes, (1902-1967), writer and poet, Topeka, Kansas.
- Barry Sanders, football player, Wichita, Kansas.
- Jess Willard, (1881-1968), Heavyweight Boxing Champion of the World, Pottawatomie County, Kansas.
- Steve Hawley, Astronaut, Salina, Kansas.
- Ron Evans, Astronaut, Topeka, Kansas.
- Frederick N. Funston (11 September 1865 - 19 February 1917) Major General, Medal of Honor, Iola, Kansas
- Amelia Earhart, (1897-1937), aviator, Atchison, Kansas.
