Beloved Australian stage star Ben Lewis dies at 46
Australian audiences and theatre communities are mourning the loss of Ben Lewis, the acclaimed actor best known for his portrayal of the Phantom in the West End and Australia’s productions of Phantom of the Opera and its sequel Love Never Dies. Lewis, who was just 46, passed away after a battle with bowel cancer, his family confirmed. The news adds another sorrowful chapter to a family already touched by tragedy.
Lewis’s sister-in-law Christina O’Neill announced the death online, saying, “It is with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Ben who left us this morning, October 6. His wife, Melle, was by his side. He was so deeply and incredibly loved.”
A life in stage and a battle against cancer
Ben Lewis rose to prominence with his commanding performances as the Phantom in both the original and sequel productions. His talent earned him fans across the UK, Australia, and beyond, cementing his status as a much-loved figure in musical theatre. Yet his later years were overshadowed by a relentless illness that many in the industry know all too well: bowel cancer. Doctors revealed that the disease had already spread to his lymph nodes and liver by the time it was diagnosed, complicating treatment and prognosis.
In February last year, the Lewis family shared a stark update on a fundraising page: Ben had been diagnosed with bowel cancer, and despite major surgery, chemotherapy, and subsequent liver interventions, the cancer continued to spread. At the time, the family emphasized the strain and the fear that accompanies a condition deemed incurable after it progresses beyond treatment options.
A devoted family man amid personal hardship
Ben Lewis was not only a performer but a devoted husband to Melle Stewart, an actress who has faced her own medical battles. Stewart suffered a rare stroke believed to be related to a vaccine-induced condition during the COVID-19 pandemic, a diagnosis that kept her hospitalised and required dramatic recovery efforts. The couple, who returned to Brisbane from London to be nearer family and to focus on home life, have been open about the couple’s challenges and the resilience that carried them through.
According to family statements, Ben had been the primary carer for Melle as she relearned basic skills like walking and talking. This shared struggle—faced with strength, tenderness, and mutual support—became a poignant part of their public narrative and highlighted the real-life pressures that can accompany life in the spotlight.
Tributes from the theatre world
Tributes have poured in from across the arts community. Andrew Lloyd Webber, whose scores include Phantom and its related works, offered heartfelt condolences, noting Lewis’s “sorely missed” presence in theatre communities worldwide. Webber also spoke of a personal resonance, recalling his own family’s battles with cancer as he mourned the loss of Lewis’s talents and the life cut short.
Other figures in Australian theatre joined in the tributes, with actress Lucy Durack and theatre producer Cameron Mackintosh among those sharing their condolences and celebrating Lewis’s contributions to stage culture. Durack referenced shared memories and a hope that Lewis would be welcomed by fellow Australian theatre names in the afterlife, reflecting the warm interconnections of this close-knit community.
Looking back on a life of art and impact
Ben Lewis’s career stands as a testament to the enduring power of musical theatre to transport audiences and to heal through performance. His performances as the Phantom were not only technically accomplished but deeply expressive, enabling audiences to experience the emotional arc of love, danger, and spectacle that defines the Phantom of the Opera and its sequel. Beyond the stage, his personal journey—caring for a spouse through illness, returning to his homeland of Australia, and supporting family through hardship—resonates as a narrative of courage, devotion, and resilience.
The Lewis family had previously highlighted their ongoing fundraising efforts to support Melle Stewart’s medical needs, a testament to the couple’s shared resolve to face adversity together. As the theatre world mourns, friends and fans alike will remember Ben Lewis as a “much loved” talent whose legacy lives on in the songs, performances, and memories he leaves behind.
