Azaria (right, with Jack Lemmon) has won four Emmys

The actor received his prize - for his work in The Simpsons - ahead of the actual Emmy ceremony as honours for animation work were announced in advance.

Azaria, who has won two previous Emmys for his Simpsons performances, is also in the running for an Emmy for his role as a guest star on the sitcom Friends.

The actor, who appeared recently in London in stage play Sexual Perversity in Chicago, has also won an Emmy for a 1999 television drama, Tuesdays with Morrie, in which he starred alongside legend Jack Lemmon.

As well as grouchy barman Moe, Azaria provides the voices for incompetent police chief Wiggum, convenience store owner Apu and the rotund Comic Book Guy.

Three winners were selected in the individual achievement in animation category.

Scott Wills won an Emmy for production design and Dan Krall won for layout for their work on Cartoon Network's Samurai Jack.

The Simpsons have been going strong for more than 13 years

Maciek Albrecht was recognized for animation of the Imagine and Turn, Turn, Turn segments of Through a Child's Eye, a special made for pay-TV network HBO.

The primetime Emmy awards will be handed out in a ceremony at the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles on 21 September.

Comedy drama Six Feet Under, set in a funeral home, leads the Emmy awards race, with 16 nominations.