Ben Lewis (Australian actor)

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Born(1979-09-28)28 September 1979
London, England
Died6 October 2025(2025-10-06) (aged 46)
OccupationsActor, singer
Ben Lewis
Lewis in 2011
Born(1979-09-28)28 September 1979
London, England
Died6 October 2025(2025-10-06) (aged 46)
Alma materNewington College
Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts
OccupationsActor, singer
Years active2001–2023
Known forLove Never Dies
The Phantom of the Opera
SpouseMelle Stewart
RelativesAlexander Lewis (brother)

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.

Lewis was born in London[1] 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.[2] His brother, Alexander Lewis, is an opera singer and actor who completed three years as a young artist at New York's Metropolitan Opera.[3] During his childhood, his family went back and forth between England and the North Shore of Sydney, Australia.[1]

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.[1] 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.[1]

Personal life

Lewis was married to Australian actress Melle Stewart and was her primary care-giver after she had a stroke in 2021.[4][5]

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.[6]

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.[7]

Career

Theatre credits

YearTitleCharacterCompany
2005The Windows Project-Darlinghurst Theatre, Sydney
OdysseyThe Malthouse/Black Swan Theatre Company[8]
2006UrinetownSydney Theatre Company
2006–2007Priscilla, Queen of the DesertFrankLyric Theatre, Star City Casino, Sydney
2007SpamalotSir Dennis Galahad / Prince Herbert's Father / Black KnightHer Majesty's Theatre, Melbourne[9]
2009A Little Night MusicCount Carl-Magnus MalcolmOpera House, Sydney[10]
Metro StreetChris BarnesThe Production Company
2010A Midsummer Night's DreamLysander / Snug / CobwebWildRumpus[11]
2011–2012Love Never DiesThe Phantom of the OperaReally Useful Group[12]
2013CandideGovernor / VanderdendurMenier Chocolate Factory[13]
2014Thérèse RaquinLaurentFinborough Theatre[14]
Forbidden Broadwayvarious charactersMenier Chocolate Factory and Vaudeville Theatre
2015Devilish!Nick BrimstoneTristan Bates Theatre[15]
Love Me TenderChadUK tour[16]
2016Annie Get Your GunFrank ButlerCrubicle, Sheffield[17]
2017–2018The Phantom of the OperaThe Phantom of the OperaHer Majesty's Theatre, West End[18]
2018–2019 Company Larry Gielgud Theatre, West End[19]
2019–2020 The Bodyguard Frank Farmer UK, Ireland & Japan tour[20]

Film and television credits

YearSeries/Film/EventCharacterEpisodeCompany
2001McLeod's DaughtersTroy O'RoukeWho's a Big Girl Now?Channel Nine Australia
2011Carols By CandlelightHimself-Nine Network
2012Love Never DiesThe Phantom / Mr. YUniversal Pictures
Side By Side by SondheimHimselfTheatre Royal
2013DoctorsNed BickBleeding HeartsBBC 1
2016Cyanide and Happiness ShortsGuardThe ExecutionYouTube
2020EastEndersIain 6150BBC 1

Awards and nominations

References

Related Articles

Wikiwand AI