Beloved actor Ben Lewis, greatest recognized for his roles in The Phantom of the Opera and The Bodyguard, has sadly died aged simply 46 after a most cancers battle. The Aussie actor shot to fame within the authentic Australian manufacturing of Andrew Lloyd Webber‘s Love By no means Dies, taking part in the Phantom, earlier than reprising the function within the West Finish model of the musical. Born in England, Ben additionally starred within the UK excursions of Love Me Tender and The Bodyguard, and performed Larry within the 2018 revival of Firm.
His sister-in-law Christina O’Neill has shared the information of his dying with followers, writing: “It’s with heavy hearts that we share the passing of our beloved Ben who left us this morning, October 6. His spouse, Melle, was by his facet. He was so deeply and extremely liked.”
Ben was identified with bowel most cancers in February 2024, and regardless of having no signs the most cancers unfold to his liver and lymph nodes. Regardless of main surgical procedure and chemotherapy, the most cancers continued to unfold to his lungs and pelvis, turning into incurable.
Andrew Lloyd Webber posted a heartfelt tribute on social media, writing: “My heartfelt condolences exit to his spouse and household. Ben Lewis will likely be sorely missed by his many associates in theatre all around the world.”
He added: “I first met Ben when he premiered the marvellous Australian manufacturing of Love By no means Dies during which he performed the Phantom. After his big private success within the function, he got here to London to play Phantom within the authentic present. His triumph within the function performed an enormous half in The Phantom of the Opera’s persevering with London run.
“I really feel a private reference to Ben’s horrible reason behind dying.
“My very own son Nick died of abdomen and bowel most cancers. Had he lived he would have been the identical age as Ben when he so tragically died. These dreadful abdomen and bowel cancers are more and more affecting younger males who’re ever extra usually being taken from us so cruelly, so early.”
It wasn’t the one tragedy to hit his household after his spouse Melle suffered a stroke – with Ben turning into her main carer. She needed to have a part of her mind eliminated after blood clotting from vaccine-induced thrombocytopenic thrombosis (VITT) – however the couple remained staunchly pro-vaccine afterwards.
A fundraiser arrange throughout his most cancers battle raised greater than $180,000 to assist pay bills and supply for her future, stating: “Ben’s best concern will not be for himself — it is for Melle, and that he will likely be leaving her earlier than their journey is full.”
