Ben Lewis obit

Ben Lewis Dies: West End ‘Phantom Of The Opera’ Actor Was 46

 

He was not on the list.

Ben Lewis, the Australian actor who played the title role in The Phantom of the Opera in London’s West End, died today of of bowel cancer in Sydney. He was 46.

His death was announced on Instagram by his friend, the Australian TV presenter Todd Woodbridge.

Born into a family of opera singers in London on September 28, 1979, Lewis studied voice at London’s Royal College of Music and the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. In the early 2000s, he appeared on stage in Sydney in such productions as Urinetown, Priscilla Queen of the Desert and A Little Night Music.

In 2011, Lewis starred in the original Australian production of Love Never Dies, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to his The Phantom of the Opera. In 2017-2018, Lewis starred in The Phantom of the Opera in London.

Other credits include the UK tours of Love Me Tender and The Bodyguard, and the 2018 West End revival of Company.

Lewis was was diagnosed with bowel cancer in February 2024. He is survived by his wife, the Australian actress Melle Stewart, who made headlines when suffered a debilitating stroke in 2021 which she linked to a very rare adverse reaction to the AstraZeneca Covid 19 vaccine. She later stated, “Despite the issues I’ve had due to the AstraZeneca vaccine, I am proud to say that I have gone on to receive multiples doses of the Pfizer vaccine and I remain a staunch advocate for vaccination.”

Career

Theatre credits

Year     Title     Character         Company

2005    The Windows Project  -           Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney

2005    Odyssey          -           The Malthouse/Black Swan Theatre Company

2006    Urinetown       -           Sydney Theatre Company

2006–2007      Priscilla, Queen of the Desert Frank   Lyric Theatre, Star City Casino, Sydney

2007    Spamalot         Sir Dennis Galahad / Prince Herbert's Father / Black Knight            Her Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne

2009    A Little Night Music   Count Carl-Magnus Malcolm Opera House, Sydney

2009    Metro Street    Chris Barnes   The Production Company

2010    A Midsummer Night's Dream Lysander / Snug / Cobweb      WildRumpus

2011–2012      Love Never Dies         The Phantom of the Opera      Really Useful Group

2013    Candide           Governor / Vanderdendur       Menier Chocolate Factory

2014    Thérèse Raquin           Laurent            Finborough Theatre

2014    Forbidden Broadway  various characters        Menier Chocolate Factory and Vaudeville Theatre

2015    Devilish!          Nick Brimstone           Tristan Bates Theatre

2015    Love Me Tender          Chad    UK tour

2016    Annie Get Your Gun   Frank Butler    Crubicle, Sheffield

2017–2018      The Phantom of the Opera      The Phantom of the Opera      Her Majesty's Theatre, West End[18]

2018–2019      Company         Larry   Gielgud Theatre, West End

2019–2020      The Bodyguard           Frank Farmer   UK, Ireland & Japan tour

Film and television credits

Year     Series/Film/Event        Character         Episode           Company

2001    McLeod's Daughters   Troy O'Rouke Who's a Big Girl Now?          Channel Nine Australia

2011    Carols By Candlelight Himself            -           Nine Network

2012    Love Never Dies         The Phantom / Mr. Y  -           Universal Pictures

2012    Side By Side by Sondheim     Himself            -           Theatre Royal

2013    Doctors            Ned Bick         Bleeding Hearts          BBC 1

2016    Cyanide and Happiness Shorts           Guard  The Execution YouTube

2020    EastEnders      Iain      6150    BBC 1