Will Smith to host Kids' Choice Awards

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jan. 11 (UPI) -- Film star Will Smith is to serve as host of the 25th annual Kids' Choice Awards show in Los Angeles, Nickelodeon announced Wednesday.

The event honoring children's favorites in film, music, sports and television is to take place March 31 at the Galen Center at the University of Southern California.

Smith, a 10-time Kids' Choice Blimp Award winner, is best known for his work in "Independence Day," "I Am Legend," "The Pursuit of Happyness and the "Men in Black" franchise. He started his career in the sitcom "The Fresh Prince of Bel Air."

"How better to celebrate 25 years of Kids' Choice Awards than with the biggest movie star in the world?" Marjorie Cohn, president of original programming and development for Nickelodeon Group and an executive producer of the show, said in a statement Wednesday. "Will has enough KCA blimps at home to fill a room, having long been one of kids' favorites. He's a larger than life presence who knows how to play big and we're excited he'll be taking the stage for the biggest, loudest, messiest spectacle in the show's 25-year history."

"The Kids' Choice Awards are always the year's liveliest, slimiest and most outrageous party for kids and teens," said Smith. "I'm honored they wanted me to host this year so I can have a front row seat to take part in the fun."