The Phantom of the Opera actor Ben Lewis passes away at 46 after battling bowel cancer

Ben Lewis captured hearts around the world with his powerful voice and magnetic stage presence.

Australian actor and musical theatre performer Ben Lewis, best known for his roles in The Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies, has passed away at the age of 46 after a battle with bowel cancer.

His friend, Australian TV host Todd Woodbridge, confirmed the tragic news on Instagram.

Ben Lewis captured hearts around the world with his powerful voice and magnetic stage presence. In his emotional tribute, Woodbridge described him as “one of the greats,” writing, “Today we lost Ben Lewis, one of my family’s dearest friends, far too young. The Australian musical theatre world has also lost one of the greats! Ben shone on stage as the Phantom in Love Never Dies and in The Phantom of the Opera on the West End… but more importantly, he was one of the truly great humans — funny, kind, and a wonderful mentor to everyone he worked with.”

Woodbridge went on to recall their cherished moments together, adding, “So many fond memories of holidays in Scotland, visits to Her Majesty’s Theatre in London, and times spent at Wimbledon… our last photo together was in late June at our home. Sending love to all the family tonight.”

His heartfelt message drew an overwhelming response from fans and fellow performers, all mourning the loss of a beloved artist and friend.

Lewis's remarkable performances and musical ability won him great admiration in both Australia and the UK. Playing the Phantom in the follow-up to The Phantom of the Opera, Love Never Dies, was his big break. He received a lot of praise for his amazing performance and became a favourite among theatregoers.

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Later, he played the part again in London's West End, where he was praised for his performances and got standing ovations. Lewis' wife, actress Melle Stewart, suffered a rare stroke caused by the AstraZeneca vaccine during the COVID-19 pandemic when she was just 40.

Lewis lovingly became her caregiver as she relearned how to walk and talk. The couple eventually left their flourishing theatre careers in London and returned home to Brisbane, where they continued to support each other through life’s challenges.