Anne Heche remains on life support and under evaluation for organ donation.
A representative for the actor says injuries suffered in a car crash a week ago led to her brain death.
Under California law, a person who has lost all brain function can be ruled dead.
Spokeswoman Holly Baird said Friday that the actor's heart is still beating while a nonprofit organization determines if she is a match as a donor.
Heche was driving when her car crashed into a Los Angeles area home Aug.
5.
Heche, who is 53, first came to prominence with her Emmy-winning role on “Another World."