(Photo: Jason Merritt/Getty Images)

Legendary mogul and Def Jam co-founder Russell Simmons has been honored for his activism by animal rights organization PETA, who named him their 2011 Person of the Year.

The long-time vegan and environmentalist runs Argyleculture, a clothing line free of fur, wool and leather. He has also taken public stances against dogfighting and fast-food chain KFC.

"The horrible abuse of animals is the worst karmic disaster in the history of human kind," said Simmons in a press release. "The work that PETA does to combat this catastrophe is amazing. I'm truly humbled to be chosen as this year's Person of the Year, but the praise should go to the hundreds of thousands of volunteers that are on the ground doing the work. I accept this honor on their behalf."

BET.com is your #1 source for Black celebrity news, photos, exclusive videos and all the latest in the world of hip hop and R&B music.