Broadway actor Quentin Oliver Lee has died at 34 from colon cancer

Broadway actor Quentin Oliver Lee’s wife, Angie Lee Graham, revealed he died of colon cancer, at the age of 34, ‘in the wee hours of the morning’ on Thursday.

The actor, best known for his role in Off-Broadway in Heather Christian’s Oratorio For Living Things and as Phantom in the US tour of The Phantom of the Opera, died by his spouse’s side as she held onto his hand.

‘I saw his last breaths, held his hand tight, and felt his heartbeat slowly drift away. He had a smile on his face, and was surrounded by those,’ she wrote on Lee’s Instagram.

Rest in peace: Broadway star Quentin Oliver Lee's wife, Angie, revealed he passed away from colon cancer, at the age of 34, 'in the wee hours of the morning' on Friday

Rest in peace: Broadway star Quentin Oliver Lee’s wife, Angie, revealed he passed away from colon cancer, at the age of 34, ‘in the wee hours of the morning’ on Friday

Angie continued: ‘It was peaceful, and perfect.’ 

‘He was an incredible man, husband, father, son, brother, friend, singer, actor, and disciple of Christ with great faith in his Father in Heaven. To say “he will be dearly missed” doesn’t reflect the scope of the people and communities he has created and touched,’ the widow said of her late spouse.

She continued: ‘If we let him, he made us better people. Samantha and I are supported and lifted by our families and our own faith. Please understand if I don’t respond, but trust that your messages and love have been read and felt.’ 

A star: The actor, best known for his role in Off-Broadway in Heather Christian's Oratorio For Living Things and as Phantom in the US tour of The Phantom of the Opera, died by his spouse's side as she held onto his hand; seen in 2018

A star: The actor, best known for his role in Off-Broadway in Heather Christian’s Oratorio For Living Things and as Phantom in the US tour of The Phantom of the Opera, died by his spouse’s side as she held onto his hand; seen in 2018

'Phantom in the US Tour of The Phantom of the Opera,' she wrote on Lee's Instagram. 'I saw his last breaths, held his hand tight, and felt his heartbeat slowly drift away. He had a smile on his face, and was surrounded by those' (pictured in 2018)

‘Phantom in the US Tour of The Phantom of the Opera,’ she wrote on Lee’s Instagram. ‘I saw his last breaths, held his hand tight, and felt his heartbeat slowly drift away. He had a smile on his face, and was surrounded by those’ (pictured in 2018)

In addition to the heartfelt tribute, Angie shared pictures of him holding their little girl on his lap on a park bench and other sweet family photos. 

Lee was named a Western Regional Finalist in both the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the National Association of Teachers of Singers Artist Awards.

He received his Bachelor’s of Music in Vocal Performance from Northern Arizona University in 2012. 

Beloved: In addition to the heartfelt tribute, Angie shared pictures of him holding their little girl on his lap on a park bench and other sweet family photos

Beloved: In addition to the heartfelt tribute, Angie shared pictures of him holding their little girl on his lap on a park bench and other sweet family photos

Family man: Lee will be remembered as a 'incredible man, husband, father, son, brother, friend, singer, actor,' according to his wife

Family man: Lee will be remembered as a ‘incredible man, husband, father, son, brother, friend, singer, actor,’ according to his wife

Samantha and I are supported and lifted by our families and our own faith. Please understand if I don't respond, but trust that your messages and love have been read and felt,' Angie concluded

Samantha and I are supported and lifted by our families and our own faith. Please understand if I don’t respond, but trust that your messages and love have been read and felt,’ Angie concluded

As an undergraduate student, he held a teaching position with the Flagstaff School of Music and ‘was a member of the Cardinal Key Honor Society,’ according to  Broadway World.

The publication also detailed his career achievements, including performing as a ‘soloist in Handel’s Messiah with the Flagstaff Master Chorale, a guest soloist for the Sedona Opera Saloons, Soloist for the MLK Day celebration in Jax Beach, Florida, and as a performer at the Romanian Embassy in New York.’ 

Six months ago, he shared a photo of his hospital wristband with a caption about how ‘this year’ had ‘been a wild ride’ from working on the play, Caroline or Change and ‘sold-out Lortel Winner off-Broadway masterpiece’ to being diagnosed with stage 4 colon cancer. 

Impressive: Lee was named a Western Regional Finalist in both the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the National Association of Teachers of Singers Artist Awards

Impressive: Lee was named a Western Regional Finalist in both the Metropolitan Opera National Council Auditions and the National Association of Teachers of Singers Artist Awards

In June, he and his family created a GoFundMe to help fund his treatments, including chemotherapy and surgery. 

‘I’m a father, husband, teacher, Broadway and Metropolitan Opera performer and soon to be cancer survivor,’ he wrote. ‘It is definitely difficult to make money performing while also going through chemo, surgeries and dealing with these messy cancer symptoms that may drag on for who knows how long.’ 

He continued: ‘All of you have already show your love and support in so many ways. Know that, any donation will help us pay medical bills, keep the lights on, keep food on the table, and help Angie and I stay focused on beating this disease instead of worrying about how we can meet our needs.’ 

465 donors were able to raise $43,948 for his medical expenses.  

source: dailymail.co.uk