NEW YORK — The director of an upcoming Liam Neeson movie said yesterday that Neeson showed remarkable professionalism in returning to work so soon after the death of wife Natasha Richardson.

Atom Egoyan praised Neeson for returning to the Toronto set of "Chloe" the week after Richardson's death. Neeson came back for a couple days' work to complete his scenes for the thriller directed by Egoyan.

"He was very committed to the film and finishing his role, and he didn't need to come back that soon ... It was just such an unspeakably generous thing for him to do," Egoyan said in an interview for his new drama "Adoration."

Neeson's work on the film had been on hold after Richardson suffered a head injury in a March 16 skiing accident in Quebec. She died two days later.

JAILED SON ALLOWED TO VISIT AILING FAWCETT

LOS ANGELES — Authorities have allowed the son of Ryan O'Neal and Farrah Fawcett a brief visit with his ailing mother.

Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department spokesman Steve Whitmore said a judge allowed Redmond O'Neal, 24, to leave jail briefly on Saturday to visit Fawcett, who is battling anal cancer that has spread to her liver.

O'Neal's family paid roughly $1,300 so that deputies could supervise the visit.

O'Neal has been jailed since April 5, when deputies say he was caught with heroin at a jail facility north of Los Angeles.

SNOOP DENIES ATTACK ON FAN AT CONCERT

SANTA MONICA, Calif. — Snoop Dogg says he didn't hit a man with his microphone during a 2005 concert melee.

The rapper, whose real name is Calvin Broadus, took the stand yesterday in a civil trial. He is being sued by Richard Monroe Jr., who claims he was seriously hurt by Broadus and his security guards after he came onstage during a show near Seattle.

Broadus told jurors he didn't hit Monroe with a brass knuckle microphone as the man contends. He said Monroe shouldn't have come onstage, though Monroe testified Friday he thought he had been invited.

RIVERS CLAN TAKES ON TRUMP CELEBS

NEW YORK — Think twice before crossing Melissa Rivers — her mother might just step in and chew you out.

Joan Rivers unleashed an earful of insults after Donald Trump fired her daughter on "The Celebrity Apprentice."

Melissa Rivers, who appeared with her mom on the NBC show, claimed poker champ Annie Duke and Playboy pinup Brande Roderick had formed an alliance.

Joan Rivers joined in by calling Roderick a "stupid blonde" and Duke a "white trash" poker player. She called the duo "a Nazi and a follower."