Ben Lewis passed away on October 6, 2025, in Sydney at the age of 46, his friend Todd Woodbridge announced on Instagram.
Last Updated on 8 hours by Vijay Kumar
Australian stage actor and singer Ben Lewis, best known for his powerful performances as The Phantom in The Phantom of the Opera and its sequel Love Never Dies, passed away on October 6, 2025, in Sydney at the age of 46.
His friend Australian tennis player Todd Woodbridge announced on Instagram and wrote, “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! 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..”
He had been battling bowel cancer since February 2024, when doctors discovered the disease had already spread to his liver, lungs, and pelvis.
Ben Lewis was married to Australian actress Melle Stewart, whom he met while studying at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). The couple shared a deep bond both personally and professionally. Their relationship was tested in 2021 when Melle suffered a severe stroke, a rare complication linked to the AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine. The stroke left her unable to walk or speak for months, requiring a long and difficult rehabilitation process. During that time, Ben devoted himself completely to her care, helping her recover while managing his acting commitments.
Ben’s family to share this: “Melle suffered a life threatening stroke in June, and has been undergoing intensive medical treatment since. She will need more care through next year. Ben is unable to work due to being Melle’s sole physical/familial support there, and with family all in Australia, their closest friends and family can’t be there to help in the UK. Ben’s brother and Melle’s sister have set up a GoFundMe page to help Ben and Melle get through this.”
Lewis’s acting career was celebrated in both Australia and the United Kingdom. He trained at WAAPA and quickly became one of the most respected names in musical theatre. His breakout role came with Love Never Dies, where his portrayal of The Phantom won critical acclaim for its depth and emotion.
He later reprised the role in London’s West End production of The Phantom of the Opera, joining an elite group of actors to play the character in both shows. Over the years, he also starred in major stage productions such as Spamalot, Evita, A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum, and Les Misérables, earning praise for his rich baritone voice and commanding stage presence.
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