While the world knew Ben Lewis for his powerful baritenor voice that brought the Phantom to life in Love Never Dies and the West End’s The Phantom of the Opera, the heart of his personal story was his family. His life was a deeply intertwined tapestry of love, partnership, and resilience, centered on his marriage to actress Melle Stewart. Their bond, which began in their student days, evolved into a powerful partnership that withstood significant challenges, illustrating a profound commitment that extended far beyond the stage lights.
Lewis’s role as a husband was dramatically tested when his wife, Melle Stewart, suffered a stroke in 2021. In a poignant turn of events, he stepped into the role of her primary caregiver, dedicating himself to her recovery. This chapter of their lives added a layer of profound depth to their relationship, showcasing a mutual devotion that was as powerful as any of his onstage performances. His own health battle began just a few years later, creating a heartbreaking period for the couple, who supported each other through immense adversity.
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A Partnership Forged in Drama School
Ben Lewis’s family story began not on a stage, but in the classrooms of the Western Australian Academy of Performing Arts (WAAPA). It was there he met his future wife, the actress Melle Stewart. The couple built a life together, dividing their time between the United Kingdom and Australia as they nurtured their respective careers. A photograph from 2011 captures the two together, a testament to a relationship that had already spanned many years by the time of his passing.
Lewis came from a remarkably artistic family. He was born in London to opera singers Michael Lewis (father) and Patricia Price (mother), and his brother, Alexander Lewis, also followed the familial tradition, becoming an opera singer and actor. This meant that music and performance were the family business, creating a shared language and understanding that undoubtedly shaped Ben’s own path to the stage. His marriage to Melle, however, was the central relationship of his adult life. While the couple did not have kids, their partnership was the cornerstone of their world, a bond that was visibly strengthened through the challenges they faced together.
A Legacy of Love and Resilience
The story of Ben Lewis and Melle Stewart is one of incredible strength in the face of adversity. After Melle’s stroke in 2021, Lewis’s life understandably shifted focus. He became her primary carer, balancing his own illustrious career with the responsibilities of supporting his wife through her recovery. This period highlighted a side of him that fans rarely see—the devoted partner behind the commanding stage presence.
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Tragically, this caregiving dynamic was reversed when Lewis was diagnosed with an aggressive form of bowel cancer in February 2024. The couple, who had already endured so much, now faced this devastating illness together. A GoFundMe page was later established, not for him, but to secure funds for Melle’s future care, a final, loving act that underscores the depth of his devotion to her well-being.
When Lewis passed away in October 2025, he was survived by Melle, his parents, and his brother, leaving behind a legacy defined as much by his profound personal loyalty and love as by his celebrated theatrical triumphs.
