Ben Lewis, who played the Phantom in the long-running “Phantom of the Opera” production in London’s West End, has died. He was 46.
Tributes from the British-Australian actor’s friends and fans around the world filled an online tribute page, shared by members of his close circle, including his sister-in-law, Chrissy O’Neill.
“Benny, you were one of the strongest people I’ve ever met,” O’Neill captioned photos of her with Lewis over the years, posted on Oct. 9. “Strong in your unwavering, immense true love & dedication to your soulmate, Melle. Strong in your incredible talent; your truthful storytelling, passion, and inimitable, rich, soaring voice. Strong in your sense of humour, you loved to laugh and make others laugh. God, you were funny.”
Ben Lewis performs at an event celebrating the Myer Bourke Street reopening on March 31, 2011, in Melbourne, Australia.
She remembered her longtime friend as “a thoughtful and caring human. Even towards the end, you were so concerned about others’ well-being, how we were coping with what you were going through. You knew all the nurses by name & were kind to them. You told the doctors you commended their work. Generous of spirit and heart. That’s you. Your humanity shining until the very end.”
Days earlier, O’Neill announced the news in an Instagram story that read: “It is with heavy hearts that we announce the passing of our beloved Ben, who left us this morning, Oct. 6th. His wife, Melle, was by his side.
Friend Todd Woodbridge, an Australian TV personality, also paid tribute to the late actor on Oct. 6.
“The Australian Musical Theatre family also lost one of the greats!” Woodbridge captioned his Instagram post, which included photos of the duo together over the years. “He was one of the great humans, funny, caring and a wonderful mentor to all of the people he worked) with.”
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USA TODAY has reached out to representatives for Lewis and O’Neill for comment.
In July, Lewis’ family members created a GoFundMe page that revealed the actor’s diagnosis of an “incurable” bowel cancer in February 2024.
“He had no symptoms but by the time it was discovered, the cancer had already spread to his lymph nodes and liver,” the fundraiser page reads. “Despite his strength and determination, the cancer has proved to be quite aggressive and resistant to the chemotherapy drugs.”
Andrew Lloyd Webber speaks out on Ben Lewis’ ‘horrible cause of death’
Before performing in London’s West End from 2017 to 2018, Lewis starred in the original Australian production of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s “Phantom” sequel, “Love Never Dies.”
In a 2017 interview with the WestEndWilma YouTube channel, Lewis revealed that though performing in the Melbourne production of “Monty Python’s Spamalot” in 2007 to 2008 was the highlight of his career at the time, he felt “immensely honored” to work in the Australian production of “Love Never Dies.”
“Andrew Lloyd Webber was so accommodating, and he came down and spent some amazing time with us,” he said. “I think … some of the best music, full stop, that I’ve ever had the privilege to sing in my life.”
Webber himself paid tribute to Lewis in a touching message shared on Webber’s social media accounts.
“I first met Ben when he premiered the marvellous Australian production of ‘Love Never Dies’ in which he played the Phantom. After his huge personal success in the role, he came to London to play Phantom in the original show,” Webber’s post read. “His triumph in the role played a huge part in ‘The Phantom of the Opera’s continuing London run.”
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The musical theatre legend went on to share that he feels “a personal connection with Ben’s horrible cause of death.”
“My own son Nick died of stomach and bowel cancer. Had he lived, he would have been the same age as Ben when he so tragically died,” Webber wrote.
“These dreadful stomach and bowel cancers are increasingly afflicting young men who are ever more often being taken from us so cruelly, so early. My heartfelt condolences go out to his wife and family. Ben will be sorely missed by his many friends in theatre all over the world.”
Bowel cancer, which is often referred to as colorectal cancer, is the second most common cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide, the World Health Organization said in a 2023 report. Cancer of the colon and the rectum often goes unnoticed as they typically don’t present symptoms in the earliest stages, according to Harvard Health.
Regular screenings are recommended for adults 50 and older.
This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Ben Lewis dies: ‘Phantom of the Opera’ West End performer was 46