Australian actor and singer Ben Lewis, best known to West End audiences for playing the title role in The Phantom of the Opera in London, has died in Sydney at the age of 46.
Ben Lewis died following a battle with bowel cancer. The news was confirmed by his friend, broadcaster Todd Woodbridge.
Lewis first came to international prominence as the Phantom in the original Australian production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies, later reprising the role in the long-running West End production of The Phantom of the Opera during 2017 and 2018.
His UK stage credits also include the 2018 revival of Company directed by Marianne Elliott, and tours of Love Me Tender and The Bodyguard.
A fundraiser launched by his family this summer revealed Lewis had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2024.
Ben recently starred in an acclaimed Australian revival of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Phantom sequel Love Never Dies, which also played in UK and Ireland cinemas in September.
Born in London in 1979 and raised between the UK and Australia, Lewis trained at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts and the Royal College of Music in London, building a career across both countries before his West End breakthrough.
He is survived by his wife, actress Melle Stewart.
Our heartfelt condolences go out to Ben’s family and friends.
Tributes to Ben Lewis
Todd Woodbridge said in a statement on Instagram: “Today we lost Ben Lewis one my families dearest friends way to young and the Australian Musical Theatre family also lost one of the greats! Ben was a star on stage as Phantom in Love Never Dies and In Phantom of the Opera on the West End.. more importantly he was one of the great humans, funny, caring and a wonderful mentor to all of the people he work with…so many fond memories of holidays together in Scotland, visiting the dressing rooms of Her Majesty’s Theatre in London to times spent at Wimbledon… and our last pic together in late June at our home…sending our love to all the family tonight.”
Cameron Mackintosh, producer of The Phantom of the Opera, said in a statement: “It is a tremendous shock to hear the tragic news that the hugely talented Ben Lewis has passed away at the young age of 46. Ben was a towering presence and a great company leader when he played the title role of the Phantom in his native Australia and then again at His Majesty’s Theatre in London. Amongst his many other leading roles, Ben was especially impressive as the stoic, handsome long-suffering husband to Patti LuPone’s explosive vodka stinger laced Joanne in the recent Company revival at the Gielgud Theatre. Our hearts go out to his beloved wife, Melle, and his family and friends both here and in Australia. The theatre has lost a very special and much loved talent far too early, in what would certainly have been a long and brilliant career”.
Andrew Lloyd Webber said in a statement on social media: “I first met Ben Lewis when he premiered the marvellous Australian production of Love Never Dies in which he played the Phantom. After his huge personal success in the role, he came to London to play Phantom in the original show. His triumph in the role played a huge part in Phantom’s continuing London run. I feel a personal connection with Ben’s horrible cause of death. My own son Nick died of stomach and bowel cancer. Had he lived he would have been the same age as Ben when he so tragically died. These dreadful stomach and bowel cancers are increasingly afflicting young men who are ever more often being taken from us so cruelly, so early. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife and family. Ben will be sorely missed by his many friends in theatre all over the world.”
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