Ben Lewis, the acclaimed Australian actor celebrated for his performances as the Phantom in âThe Phantom of the Operaâ and âLove Never Dies,â has died. The beloved star lost a battle with bowel cancer, as reported by Deadline. He was 46. Lewis passed away in Sydney, and his death was confirmed on Instagram by close friend and TV presenter Todd Woodbridge, who called him âone of the greatsâ of Australian musical theatre.
âToday we lost Ben Lewis, one of my familyâs dearest friends, way too young, and the Australian musical theatre family also lost one of the greats,â Woodbridge wrote.
âBen was a star on stage as Phantom in âLove Never Diesâ and âThe Phantom of the Operaâ on the West End. More importantly, he was one of the great humans â funny, caring, and a wonderful mentor to all of the people he worked with.â
A Career Defined by Music & Stage Magic
Born in London on September 28, 1979, into a family of opera singers, Lewis studied voice at Londonâs Royal College of Music before continuing his training at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.
According to Deadline, he built an impressive stage career in both Australia and the U.K., performing in âUrinetown,â âPriscilla Queen of the Desert,â and âA Little Night Music.â
In 2011, Lewis earned international acclaim for originating the role of the Phantom in Andrew Lloyd Webberâs âLove Never Diesâ in Australia. Six years later, he reprised the iconic character in âThe Phantom of the Operaâ in Londonâs West End. His powerful voice and commanding presence made him one of the most celebrated Phantoms of his generation.
Other notable credits include the U.K. tours of âLove Me Tenderâ and âThe Bodyguard,â as well as the 2018 West End revival of âCompany.â
Tributes Pour In From Friends & Fans
Across the theatre world, tributes have flooded social media from colleagues, fans, and industry peers. Many praised Lewis for his extraordinary talent and kindness, remembering him as both an artist and a friend.
Woodbridgeâs tribute reflected the personal side of their friendship: âSo many fond memories of holidays together in Scotland, visiting the dressing rooms of Her Majestyâs Theatre in London, times spent at Wimbledon, and our last picture together in late June. Sending our love to all the family tonight.â
Fans across the world also shared emotional messages online, remembering Lewis for his âunforgettable voiceâ and âlimitless generosity.â
One fan commented: “Love â¤ï¸ neverâ¤ï¸ dies. So sad to hear this. How blessed we were by his artistry.”
A Family of Strength & Resilience
Lewis was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2024. He is survived by his wife, actress Melle Stewart, who made headlines in 2021 after suffering a debilitating stroke linked to a rare vaccine reaction.
Despite her challenges, she remained an outspoken advocate for vaccination, stating, âDespite the issues Iâve had due to the AstraZeneca vaccine, I am proud to say that I have gone on to receive multiple doses of the Pfizer vaccine and remain a staunch advocate for vaccination.â
As the curtain falls on his extraordinary life, Ben Lewis is being remembered as a powerhouse performer and a beloved figure in both the Australian and international theatre communities â a Phantom whose voice, warmth, and legacy will echo forever.
The post Legendary ‘The Phantom of the Opera’ Star Passes Away at 46: Tributes Pour In appeared first on EntertainmentNow.