Broadcast film critics to honor DeVito

LOS ANGELES, June 16 (UPI) -- Danny DeVito is to be honored as the first recipient of the Critics' Choice Television Icon Award at an upcoming awards ceremony in Beverly Hills, Calif.

The honors are to be handed out by the Broadcast Television Journalists Association, a new offshoot of the Broadcast Film Critics Association.

Rob McElhenney, DeVito's co-star on TV's "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia," will present the Icon Award to DeVito, the association said.

DeVito is best known for his work on the sitcom "Taxi," as well as in the films "One Flew Over the Cuckoo's Nest," "Tin Men," "Romancing the Stone," "Twins" and "Batman Returns."

"We are thrilled that Danny DeVito is our first Critics' Choice Television Icon because, as the first recipient, he will define it for the future," Joey Berlin, acting president of the BTJA, said in a statement Thursday. "We are recognizing Danny for his contributions both in front of and behind the camera, but also off camera. With Danny, we are able to pay homage to the past as well as celebrate the present, as his career has been remarkable for its continued relevance, from 'Taxi' to 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia.'"

Cat Deeley is to serve as host of Monday's prize presentation at the Beverly Hills Hotel.

Presenters lined up for the event include Elijah Wood, Tyler Posey, Gillian Jacobs, Sam Trammel, Kevin Connolly, Connie Britton, Adam Scott, B.J. Novak, Wilmer Valderrama and Kaley Cuoco.