Ben Lewis, an Australian actor who starred in The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End from 2017 to 2018 and in that show’s sequel, Loves Never Dies, at home in 2011, died Monday. He was 46.
His friend Todd Woodbridge, a retired tennis star and Australian TV personality, made the announcement on social media.
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“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!” Woodbridge wrote. “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.”
Lewis had been diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2024, according to a GoFundMe that had been set up for him by family.
“He had no symptoms,” the account page explained, “but by the time it was discovered, the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes and liver. Following major surgery to remove the primary tumour, he began intensive chemotherapy treatment. Despite his strength and determination, the cancer has proved to be quite aggressive and resistant to the chemotherapy drugs. Liver surgery followed and more chemotherapy but sadly the cancer has continued to spread.”
Professionally, Lewis also appeared in Sydney and Melbourne in shows such as Priscilla, Queen of the Desert; A Little Night Music; and Spamalot. Following his starring role in Love Never Dies, Lewis appeared in London in productions that included Love Me Tender and Annie Get Your Gun.
Andrew Lloyd Webber, the composer behind Phantom of the Opera and Love Never Dies, was among those who paid tribute to Lewis.
“I first met Ben 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,” Webber wrote. “His triumph in the role played a huge part in The Phantom of the Opera‘s continuing London run.”
Webber added that he felt “a personal connection with Ben’s horrible cause of death.”
He noted, “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.”
He sent condolences to Lewis’ family, including his wife, Australian actress Melle Stewart, for whom Lewis had been a caretaker, after she suffered a stroke in 2021.
EW has reached out to a rep for the actor.
