Patinkin to guest star on 'Three Rivers'

NEW YORK, Oct. 14 (UPI) -- U.S. actor Mandy Patinkin has signed up to guest star on an upcoming episode of the medical drama "Three Rivers," CBS announced Wednesday.

He is to play an ALS patient who asks to be to taken off of life support following a car crash, so that his organs can be used to save others.

"Patinkin has a very personal connection with organ donation. In 1997 and 1998, he received corneal transplants in his right and left eyes to correct the condition of keratoconus, an eye disease that creates a 'cone-shaped' cornea which impairs vision severely," CBS said in a release. "Patinkin's corneas were donated by the families of a 13-year-old girl and a 12-year-old boy."

The Emmy and Tony award winning actor is best known for his roles on TV's "Chicago Hope," "Dead Like Me," "Law & Order," "Boston Public," "Criminal Minds" and "Touched by an Angel." His feature film credits include "Alien Nation," "The Princess Bride," "Maxie," "Yentl," "Daniel" and "Ragtime."