THIS JUST IN...

...From the CBS Television Network

EMMY AND TONY AWARD WINNER, AND REAL-LIFE DOUBLE CORNEALTRANSPLANT RECIPENT MANDY PATINKIN TO GUEST STAR ON "THREE RIVERS"

NEW YORK, Oct. 14 � Emmy and Tony Award winner, and real-life double corneal transplant recipient Mandy Patinkin ("Criminal Minds") will guest star on an upcoming episode of the medical drama THREE RIVERS, which airs Sunday nights (9:00-10:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network.

Patinkin plays Victor, 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. Patinkin's corneas were donated by the families of a 13 year-old girl (right eye) and a 12 year-old boy (left eye).

Patinkin won an Emmy Award for his portrayal of Dr. Jeffrey Geiger in the series "Chicago Hope," on the Network. His other television credits include the series "Dead Like Me," "Law & Order," "Boston Public" and, on the Network, "Criminal Minds" and "Touched by an Angel." His feature film credits include "The Choking Man," "Pinero," "The Adventures of Elmo in Grouchland," "Lulu on the Bridge," "Men with Guns," "Squanto: Indian Warrior," "The Music of Chance," "Impromptu," "The Doctor," "True Colors," "Dick Tracy," "The House on Carroll Street," "Alien Nation," "The Princess Bride," "Maxie," "Yentl," "Daniel" and "Ragtime."

Patinkin won a Tony Award for his portrayal of Che in the Broadway production of "Evita." He was also nominated for Tony Awards for the title role of "Sunday in the Park with George" and for "The Wild Party." His other theater credits include "The Secret Garden," "Falsettos," "The Knife," " 'Leave It To Beaver' is Dead" and "The Shadow Box." As a singer, he has recorded several albums and tours extensively throughout the world.

THREE RIVERS is a medical drama that goes inside the emotionally complex lives of organ donors, the recipients and the surgeons at the preeminent transplant hospital in the country, where every moment counts. However, dealing with donor families in their darkest hour and managing the fears and concerns of apprehensive recipients takes much more than just a sharp scalpel. In this high stakes arena, in which every case is a race against the clock, these tenacious surgeons and medical professionals are the last hope for their patients.

On the Web: http://www.cbs.com/primetime/three_rivers/