Patrick Warburton to host the Annie Awards ceremony Feb. 1

BURBANK, Calif., Nov. 15 (UPI) -- Actor Patrick Warburton is to serve as host of the 41st Annie Awards ceremony at UCLA's Royce Hall in Los Angeles this winter, organizers said Friday.

The International Animated Film Society, ASIFA-Hollywood, is to announce the winners of awards for 2013's best in animation at the Feb. 1 event.

"We are really excited to have Patrick hosting this year's ceremony," ASIFA-Hollywood President Frank Gladstone said in a statement. "With his love of animation and deadpan comedic style, we know he will keep the show lively, funny and very entertaining."

Warburton is known for his work on the sitcoms "Seinfeld" and "Rules of Engagement." He has also lent his distinctive voice to animated characters on TV's "The Tick" and "Family Guy," and in the movies "The Emperor's New Groove," "Chicken Little," "The Wild" and "Bee Movie."