Goldberg was furious after learning the Three's Company star, a breast cancer survivor, told a Canadian reporter that Swayze could have extended his life if he had turned to alternative aids instead of chemotherapy.

Somers is said to have told columnist Shinan Govani, "They took this beautiful man and they basically put poison in him. Why couldn't they have built him up nutritionally and gotten rid of the toxins in his body?"

Swayze's Ghost co-star took aim at Somers on her U.S. TV talk show The View on Wednesday (23Sep09), telling the actress she "should know better".

Goldberg said: "In case she doesn't know, Patrick did everything and went everywhere to try and stay healthy as long as he could.

"That he's been gone a week and this statement came out is bad timing and bad taste and Suzanne, you know better. And I'm not sure that's not what you meant to do, but you should have thought about it."

Somers has responded to the controversy on her official website, insisting she wasn't aware her comments would be published.

She writes, "In a casual conversation at a private party (with someone who never identified himself as a reporter) at the Toronto Film Festival last week, I was asked about this beloved actor. It was never my intention to make an official statement about his passing.

"I was not informed or aware I was being interviewed. I would never have been so insensitive as to offer a public statement so close to his untimely passing. I sincerely apologize if my comment has caused any additional pain to his family during this difficult time. I send my deepest condolences for their loss."