Ben Lewis, the beloved West End star known for his roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies, has tragically passed away at 46 after battling bowel cancer. Fans and colleagues mourn the loss of a talented actor and compassionate mentor.
The theater world is in mourning following the death of Ben Lewis, the West End star best known for his portrayal of the Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and the sequel Love Never Dies. The Australian actor passed away at 46 after a courageous battle with bowel cancer.
The sad news was shared on Instagram on October 6 by his close friend, Australian TV host Todd Woodbridge. Woodbridge fondly remembered Lewis as “one of the greats,” praising him not only for his immense talent on stage but also for his kindness and mentorship.
“Ben was a star on stage as Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera on the West End,” Woodbridge wrote. “More importantly, he was one of the great humans—funny, caring, and a wonderful mentor to all the people he worked with.”
Woodbridge also reminisced about their time together, sharing fond memories of holidays in Scotland, visits to London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, and moments spent at Wimbledon. “Sending our love to all the family tonight,” he concluded.
A Battle with Cancer
Lewis was diagnosed with incurable bowel cancer in February 2024, according to a GoFundMe page created to support his family. After undergoing major surgery to remove the primary tumor, he began an intensive chemotherapy regimen. Despite his resilience, the cancer proved aggressive, and by April, scans revealed it had spread to his liver, lungs, and pelvis, rendering surgery and radiation ineffective.
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A Storied Career
Ben Lewis was born into a family of classically-trained opera singers in London and honed his craft at London’s Royal College of Music and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. His early career saw him perform in productions such as Urinetown, A Little Night Music, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert in Sydney.
In 2011, Lewis starred in the original Australian production of Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera, and reprised his role in London’s West End in 2017 and 2018. For his performance in Love Never Dies, Lewis won the Judith Johnson Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Sydney Theatre Awards. The production was later filmed by Universal.
A Heartbreaking Personal Struggle
In addition to his own health battle, Ben Lewis was also the primary caregiver for his wife, Australian actress Melle Stewart, who suffered a life-changing stroke in 2021 at just 40 years old, caused by the Oxford AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Melle’s stroke required nearly nine months of hospitalization, during which Ben remained steadfast by her side, supporting her through a lengthy rehabilitation process.
A Lasting Legacy
Ben Lewis leaves behind his wife, Melle Stewart, and extended family. His remarkable performances on stage, both in the West End and in Australia, have left an indelible mark on the theater community. Though gone far too soon, his legacy as an actor, mentor, and compassionate human being will never be forgotten.
