Ben Lewis, an Australian actor best remembered for his role in The Phantom of the Opera in the West End of London, died on October 6, 2025, at the age of 46. Various theatre organizations and his co-workers confirmed his death by recalling his input in the musical theatre. Lewis was known as a strong stage presence and had a secret personal life; he married fellow Australian actress Melle Stewart.
Lewis and Stewart shared a relationship built on mutual respect, deep understanding, and unwavering support for each other. The two attended Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), where they studied acting in the late 1990s. They established a professional as well as personal relationship over the years, which proved to be decades-long. Their mutual bonding also turned out to be their strength in overcoming several personal challenges.
After the news of his demise, his former lovers and colleagues have sent their condolences to his wife, Melle Stewart. Many also looked back at the time the couple had been together and the difficulties that they had gone through in the past few years. The narrative reveals that they were able to sustain themselves in their health and tough performing art careers.
Ben Lewis and Melle Stewart’s relationship
Ben Lewis and Melle Stewart both studied at the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA), one of Australia’s most prestigious institutions for the performing arts. They both were passionate about theatre, and they joined forces as students and later in the course of their professional acting careers. Following their graduation, the two performed throughout Australia and the UK, frequently juggling between working on the stage and personal life.
Their marriage became a steady and grounding force amid the demands of their acting careers. While Lewis gained international fame for his portrayal of the Phantom in Love Never Dies and The Phantom of the Opera, Stewart built a successful career of her own in theater and television. Despite their achievements, the couple remained private about their personal lives, rarely speaking publicly about their relationship.
Over the years, the couple became well known in theater circles for their deep love and shared dedication to the performing arts. Friends and colleagues often described their partnership, both as collaborators and companions, as a model of teamwork and quiet strength, onstage and off.
Read More: Who was Ben Lewis? 'Love Never Dies' star dies at 46
Ben Lewis and Melle Stewart had spent over 20 years of their lives together. They started having a marriage when they were in their student years and supported their marriage with the hard-working artistic life and severe illnesses. Although both of them wanted to share their personal life with the audience, the story of the two shows that the relationships between them were grounded in faithfulness and care towards each other.
Read More: How is the theatre world remembering Ben Lewis? Tributes pour in following actor's death at 46
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