Phantom of the Opera star has died of bowel cancer!

The theater world is in mourning after the death of Ben Lewis, the acclaimed Australian actor and singer best known for his unforgettable performances in The Phantom of the Opera and Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Love Never Dies. He was just 46.

Lewis passed away following a battle with bowel cancer, a disease he had fought with extraordinary courage and quiet dignity for more than a year. His death was confirmed on October 6, 2025, by close friend and television presenter Todd Woodbridge, who remembered Lewis as “one of the greats” — a man whose warmth, humor, and talent left a lasting impression on everyone who met him.

In a heartfelt Instagram tribute, Woodbridge shared memories of their friendship — holidays in Scotland, backstage visits at London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, and summers at Wimbledon. “He was funny, caring, and endlessly generous,” Woodbridge wrote. “Ben was a true gentleman, onstage and off. Sending love to Melle and the family — he’ll never be forgotten.”

A Battle Fought with Grace

Lewis was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2024. According to a fundraiser set up to support his family, doctors had determined the illness was incurable. After an initial surgery to remove the primary tumor, he underwent aggressive chemotherapy, but the cancer spread quickly to his liver, lungs, and pelvis. By April, further surgery and radiation were no longer viable options.

Despite the devastating prognosis, those close to him say Lewis continued to show remarkable resilience. Friends describe him as stoic and kind even during his most difficult days, finding moments of humor and gratitude in the face of relentless treatments.

“Ben faced his illness the way he lived his life — with strength, humility, and compassion,” one former castmate said. “He never wanted pity. He wanted laughter, music, and love.”

A Voice That Filled Theatres

Born in London to a family of classically trained opera singers, Ben Lewis seemed destined for the stage. His parents, both performers, passed down a deep love for music that defined his life. He later studied at the Royal College of Music and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts — the same institution that produced talents like Hugh Jackman.

Lewis’s early career in Sydney’s musical theater scene quickly established him as a rising star. He performed in Urinetown, A Little Night Music, and Priscilla, Queen of the Desert before earning the role that would change his life: the Phantom in Love Never Dies, the sequel to The Phantom of the Opera.

His portrayal of the tortured musical genius captivated audiences when the production premiered in Melbourne in 2011. Critics hailed his performance as both powerful and heartbreaking, praising his extraordinary vocal range and emotional intensity. The role earned him the Judith Johnson Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the Sydney Theatre Awards.

A filmed version of Love Never Dies was later released globally by Universal Pictures, introducing his voice to audiences far beyond the theater. Many fans who discovered him through that performance followed his career closely as he went on to perform in major productions in both Australia and the U.K.

In 2017, Lewis made his long-awaited West End debut in The Phantom of the Opera, reprising the role that had made him famous. His performance at Her Majesty’s Theatre was met with rave reviews, cementing his place among the most respected performers to ever don the Phantom’s iconic mask.

“He brought a sensitivity to the role that was rare,” said a fellow cast member. “His voice could fill the theater, but it was his soul that held the audience.”

A Devoted Husband and Caregiver

Offstage, Ben Lewis’s life was marked by love, loyalty, and sacrifice. In 2021, tragedy struck when his wife, actress Melle Stewart, suffered a massive stroke after receiving the Oxford–AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine — a rare and devastating side effect known as vaccine-induced thrombocytopenic thrombosis (VITT). She spent nearly nine months in the hospital, relearning how to speak and walk.

Throughout her recovery, Ben remained by her side. Friends often spoke of his unwavering devotion — the long nights spent at her bedside, the quiet optimism he carried even when hope felt fragile. His care for Melle became a defining chapter of his life, a testament to the depth of his compassion and strength.

“Ben was Melle’s rock,” said one family friend. “He never once complained. He gave everything he had to her recovery, and he did it with love.”

In interviews, Melle had previously spoken about her husband’s steadfast support, calling him her “anchor” and “the reason I kept going.” Now, with his passing, that love story — built on resilience and mutual devotion — has touched countless hearts.

Remembering His Legacy

Fans and colleagues across the world have been sharing tributes since news of Lewis’s death broke. Andrew Lloyd Webber called him “a true artist whose voice will echo forever.” Fellow performers from The Phantom of the Opera company in London described him as “the kind of leading man who made everyone around him better.”

Australian theatre companies also paid tribute. The Sydney Theatre Company released a statement praising his “uncompromising artistry and remarkable kindness,” while Melbourne’s Arts Centre dimmed its marquee lights in his honor.

Social media has been flooded with messages from fans who were moved by his performances. One fan wrote, “I first saw Ben as the Phantom when I was 16, and it changed my life. I’ll never forget that voice — or the kindness he showed when I met him at the stage door.”

A Life Beyond the Spotlight

Though Lewis’s professional accolades were many, those who knew him say his real legacy lies in the way he lived — with integrity, humor, and an instinct to lift others.

He mentored young actors, volunteered for arts education programs, and quietly supported numerous charity performances. “He didn’t chase fame,” a former colleague said. “He chased excellence — and he shared it freely.”

Even as his health declined, Lewis continued to work on music projects from home, recording small pieces and mentoring aspiring singers online. One unfinished composition, reportedly written during his final months, was titled “Still Here.” Friends say it reflected both his faith and his refusal to let illness define him.

Farewell to a Phantom

Ben Lewis leaves behind his wife, extended family, and an artistic legacy that continues to resonate across continents.

For theater lovers, he will always be remembered standing center stage — his voice soaring through the final notes of Music of the Night. For his friends and loved ones, he will be remembered as something even greater: a good man who loved deeply, gave freely, and lived fully, even when life was cruel.

As one tribute put it: “The curtain may have fallen, but his song still plays on.”

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