Ben Lewis (28 September 1979 – 6 October 2025) was an English-born Australian actor and baritenor singer. His most well-known role was as the Phantom of the Opera in the original Australian production of Andrew Lloyd Webber's Love Never Dies. In 2017 and 2018 he reprised the role in Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera in the original West End theatre production. His other notable roles included Chad and Frank Farmer in the UK tours of Love Me Tender and The Bodyguard, as well as Larry in the 2018 West End revival of Company.
Early life Lewis was born in London to a theatrical family. His father, Michael Lewis, is an opera singer and his mother, Patricia Price, was also an opera singer and is retired as head of vocal studies and opera at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts. His brother, Alexander Lewis, is an opera singer and actor who completed three years as a young artist at New York's Metropolitan Opera. During his childhood, his family went back and forth between England and the North Shore of Sydney, Australia.
Education After initially studying in England, Lewis graduated from Newington College in Sydney. He then undertook an arts degree at the University of Sydney but dropped out after three and a half years. He was introduced to the drama society while at the university and later enrolled at the Australian Theatre for Young People, where he was awarded a Lendlease scholarship to study voice at the Royal College of Music in London. Upon returning to Australia, he applied to study at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA) with his brother and both were successful. It was during his time at WAAPA that he met his wife, actress Melle Stewart. Australian performer Tony Sheldon was a visiting director during his time at WAAPA, and Lewis later credited Sheldon with helping him through his student years.
Personal life Lewis was married to Australian actress Melle Stewart and was her primary care-giver after she had a stroke in 2021.
In July 2025, it was publicly revealed that Lewis had been diagnosed with a fast-spreading bowel cancer in February 2024 that became incurable. His brother, Alexander, launched a GoFundMe campaign for him the same month.Rosky, Nicole "GoFundMe Launched to Support PHANTOM Veteran Ben Lewis Following Cancer Diagnosis", BroadwayWorld, 8 July 2025.
Lewis died from bowel cancer on 6 October 2025 at the age of 46. His friend Todd Woodbridge released a statement about his death on Instagram.
Career Theatre credits Year Title Character Company 2005 The Windows Project - Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney 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, SydneyVito Mattarelli Metro Street Chris Barnes The Production Company 2010 A Midsummer Night's Dream Lysander / Snug / Cobweb WildRumpusEmma Brown 2011–2012 Love Never Dies The Phantom of the Opera Really Useful GroupAdam Hetrick 2013 Candide Governor / Vanderdendur Menier Chocolate FactoryMichael Coveney 2014 Thérèse Raquin Laurent Finborough Theatre Forbidden Broadway various characters Menier Chocolate Factory and Vaudeville Theatre 2015 Devilish! Nick Brimstone Tristan Bates Theatre Love Me Tender Chad UK tourWest End Wilma 2016 Annie Get Your Gun Frank Butler Crubicle, SheffieldStagefaves2017–2018 The Phantom of the Opera The Phantom of the Opera Her Majesty's Theatre, West End2018–2019CompanyLarryGielgud Theatre, West End2019–2020The BodyguardFrank FarmerUK, 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 PicturesSide 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
Awards and nominations In 2012, Lewis received a nomination for a Helpmann Award and won a Judith Johnson Award for Best Actor in Leading Role in a Musical at the 2012 Sydney Theatre Awards for his role as the Phantom in Love Never Dies.
References
External links
Lewis on StageFaves