The stage mourns a 'Phantom'—a star’s light dimmed too soon

Ben Lewis was a voice that lingered long after the final note, a presence that filled theatres with awe and admiration.

His performances were magnetic, yet it was his quiet devotion off-stage that truly defined him.

The world now mourns the loss of an artist and husband whose life embodied both brilliance and resilience.

Career and Early Life

One of Australia’s most celebrated musical theatre performers, Ben Lewis, passed away on 6 October 2025 at the age of 46, after a battle with bowel cancer.

Lewis captivated audiences as the Phantom in both Love Never Dies and The Phantom of the Opera on the West End, earning acclaim for his vocal strength and commanding stage presence.

He spent the last four years as the primary carer for his wife, actress Melle Stewart, who suffered a catastrophic stroke in 2021 following her AstraZeneca vaccine.

Born in London to a family steeped in opera, Lewis inherited a love for performance from his parents.

His father, Michael Lewis, is an opera singer, and his mother, Patricia Price, a former opera singer, retired as Head of Vocal Studies and Opera at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts.

His brother, Alexander Lewis, is also an accomplished opera singer and actor, having trained at New York’s Metropolitan Opera.

Lewis spent his early years between England and Australia’s North Shore, attending Newington College in Sydney and later completing an Arts Degree at Sydney University.

He honed his craft with the Australian Theatre for Young People and earned a Lend Lease scholarship to study voice overseas at the Royal College of Music.

It was at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts where Lewis met his future wife, Melle Stewart, blending personal and professional milestones.

Stage Career Highlights

Ben’s stage career spanned prominent productions, including Urinetown with Sydney Theatre Company, Priscilla, Queen of the Desert—The Musical at Sydney Lyric Theatre, and A Little Night Music at the Sydney Opera House.

He rose to national prominence in 2011 as the Phantom in Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of the Opera.

His performance earned him a Helpmann Award nomination and the Judith Johnson Award for Best Actor in a Leading Role in a Musical at the 2012 Sydney Theatre Awards.

Lewis’s portrayal of the Phantom carried a unique Australian legacy, inspired by family friend and original Phantom Anthony Warlow.

'He's been my hero for a long, long time. If you're a guy in Australia, most look to Anthony. He's an incredible performer,' Lewis once reflected.

Personal Struggles and Legacy

Life took an unexpected turn in 2021 when Stewart suffered a stroke caused by vaccine-induced thrombocytopenic thrombosis after her AstraZeneca dose.

The couple, who had been pro-vaccination, faced a medical tragedy that left Melle requiring brain surgery and months of rehabilitation.

Lewis devoted himself entirely to her care, supporting her recovery while the couple relocated to Brisbane to rebuild their lives.

In February 2024, Lewis was diagnosed with advanced bowel cancer, which had spread to his lymph nodes and liver.

Despite surgery and intensive chemotherapy, the disease progressed, ultimately claiming his life.

The theatre community rallied around the couple, raising over $180,000 to assist with Stewart’s ongoing care and medical expenses.

Ben expressed his gratitude, saying: 'Five years ago, when the pandemic hit, we could never have imagined that we would be where we find ourselves today. But the sheer strength and determination that my incredible wife has shown throughout this period, has taught me the importance of putting one foot in front of the other, staying as present as you possibly can, and being grateful for all the amazing family and friends that we have in our lives.'

Tributes poured in from across the globe, with Andrew Lloyd Webber noting a personal connection to Lewis’s cause of death, having also lost his son Nick to bowel and stomach cancer.

James Millar, musical theatre performer, said: 'There are no words to express what a delightful and incredible man he has been, was and is. Ben was a great man in every way. He was adored by all who were graced, entertained and honoured to be in his orbit.'

For those wishing to witness Lewis’s artistry, his performance in the filmed version of Love Never Dies remains available for home viewing, offering a lasting testament to his talent.

Enduring Legacy

Ben Lewis’s legacy endures not only through his unforgettable performances but through a life lived with courage, devotion, and love.

Ben Lewis’s story is a powerful reminder of how lives dedicated to art can leave lasting impressions, even amidst personal struggles and health challenges.

If you found his journey inspiring, you might appreciate another story of remarkable individuals whose lives offer lessons in resilience and achievement.

Their experiences show how dedication, creativity, and perseverance can shape a legacy that endures beyond the stage or page.

Read more: A Hollywood heir (84) and a celebrated novelist (88) have left us—here’s what you can learn from their lives

What memories do you have of Ben Lewis’s performances, or how has musical theatre touched your life during difficult times?