Ben Lewis, Australian Actor and Singer, Dies at 46 After Battle With Bowel Cancer

Australian actor and singer Ben Lewis, renowned for his portrayal of the Phantom in “The Phantom of the Opera” on London’s West End, passed away Monday in Sydney following a battle with bowel cancer. His death was announced on Instagram by television presenter Todd Woodbridge, a close friend.

Lewis, born in London on Sept. 28, 1979, to a family of opera singers, trained at the Royal College of Music in London and later at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. He built a career in musical theater with early roles in “Urinetown,” “Priscilla Queen of the Desert,” and “A Little Night Music.” In 2011, he originated the role of the Phantom in the Australian premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Love Never Dies,” leading to his casting in the West End production of “The Phantom of the Opera” from 2017 to 2018. His stage credits also included touring productions of “Love Me Tender” and “The Bodyguard” in the UK, as well as the 2018 West End revival of “Company.”

Lewis was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2024. He is survived by his wife, Australian actor Melle Stewart, who previously suffered a severe stroke in 2021 linked to a rare reaction to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. Stewart later became an advocate for vaccination, receiving multiple doses of the Pfizer vaccine.

Woodbridge described Lewis as “one of the great humans,” highlighting his humor, care, and mentorship. He shared memories of shared holidays in Scotland, visits to London’s Her Majesty’s Theatre, and time at Wimbledon.