Cauwenberghs was born in
Hemiksem on 4 February 1947. He studied drama at the
Royal Conservatory of Brussels and there received lessons from
Nand Buyl and
Leo Dewals. From the late 1970s, Cauwenberghs often played colorful characters in Flemish and Dutch films and series. His film roles included
De Witte van Sichem,
Vrijdag (both 1980), the
Gaston & Leo films
Zware jongens (1984) and
Paniekzaaiers (1986), the
Dominique Deruddere film
Crazy Love (1987), the
Stijn Coninx and
Urbanus films
Hector (1987) and
Koko Flanel (1990), the
Roland Verhavert film
Boerenpsalm (1989) and the Jan Verheyen film
Boys (1991). From 1995 to 2000, he played the former side and later main character Fernand Verbist, a police officer in the
VRT 1 soap opera
Thuis. He was introduced in the second episode and appeared sporadically. In season 3 in 1997, he was promoted to main character and his family first appeared. After a series of health problems, Cauwenberghs could not combine his role with that in Kabouter Plop, so he left
Thuis after 5 years. Fernand was murdered in the fifth season finale by Pierre Vinck, his daughter Eva's lover who was actually a psychopath. He dead corpse also appeared in the beginning of season 6 and he appeared as a ghost in the special:
Afscheid van Florke in 2004. From 1997 to 2014, he played the role of Kabouter Lui in the children's series
Kabouter Plop. He also played the role in 9 films between 1999 and 2012. He also appeared in the TV series
Liegebeest (1983–1987),
Merlina (1983),
Meester, hij begint weer! (1985, 1990),
Carlos & Co (1987–1989),
Langs de Kade (1988),
Postbus X (1990),
RIP (1992–1993)
Buiten De Zone (1996),
De Familie Backeljau (1995–1997),
Samson en Gert (1999),
Brussel Nieuwsstraat (2000, 2002),
Big & Betsy (2000–2003),
De Kotmadam (2005, 2009, 2010),
Verschoten & Zoon (2005),
Spring (2006),
Aspe (2009) and
Galaxy Park (2011). In April 2012, he played the role of
Friar Tuck in the revival of the
Studio 100-musical
Robin Hood. In 2014, it became known that Cauwenberghs had been diagnosed with cancer of the lymph nodes, causing him to be unable to perform as Kabouter Lui at Plopshows in the Autumn. In July 2015, production house Studio 100 announced that Chris's health was improving. After heavy chemotherapy and radiation treatment, the actor had overcome cancer. Although he was declared cured, Cauwenberghs did not return to the spotlight. Cauwenberghs died of complications from heart failure at a
Veurne hospital, on 23 April 2025, at the age of 78. ==Filmography==