Lauer 'did 'Curious George 2' for kids'

Matt Lauer has said that lending his voice to the upcoming animated film Curious George 2: Follow That Monkey is "a kick".

The NBC Today show anchor plays the character of Hark Hanson - also a television anchor. Though Lauer has had some bit parts in live-action films and sitcoms, he claims he took this role for his three children.

"I just think it's a kick", he told People. "I mean, we talk so much on my show about entertainment and pop culture and negative influences on children, and here you have a chance to be part of something that's just good wholesome family fun that my kids already have a history with."

Lauer's children range in age from three to nine.

"Why not give them a little bit of a thrill to see their dad involved with something like that?"

The film, which releases straight to DVD on March 2, also features the voice talents of Tim Curry, Jamie Kennedy, Jerry Lewis and Clint Howard.