By Isabella Torregiani
4:10pm PST, Feb 18, 2026
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"Money has given me greater freedom, and the greatest gift is the ability to give back, to change people's lives," Kunal Nayyar, whose reported net worth is $45 million, said in a recent interview with
The i Paper.
"We also support animal charities because we love dogs. But what I really love to do is go on GoFundMe at night and just pay random families' medical bills. That's my masked vigilante thing! So, no, money doesn't feel like a burden. It feels like a grace from the universe," he added.
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Kunal Nayyar played Raj Koothrappali on all 12 seasons of The Big Bang Theory, the hit CBS sitcom that aired from 2007 to 2019.
At the show's peak, the cast reportedly earned $1 million per episode, and Forbes ranked Nayyar as the world's third-highest-paid TV actor in 2015 and 2018, with annual earnings of $20 million and $23.5 million.
Despite his considerable wealth, the actor told The i Paper that money does not "weigh heavy" on him, and he is happy to support charitable causes.
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Kunal Nayyar's charitable acts to help families in need went viral on X, with fans praising his generosity.
"It's one thing to give to a massive foundation, but there is something so personal and empathetic about sitting up at night and finding individual families to help. Bless his heart," one X user wrote.
"It's incredibly moving that Kunal is doing this but it's also a heartbreaking reminder of how broken the healthcare system is," chimed in another.
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The positive response to Kunal Nayyar's activity on GoFundMe comes as friends of the late
James Van Der Beek launched a
GoFundMe to support his wife and six children, who were left "out of funds" when he died following a battle with cancer — highlighting that fame doesn't protect anyone from steep medical bills.
"Thank you from the bottom of our hearts for showing up for James and his beautiful family. Your kindness has meant more than we can put into words," Van Der Beek's friends wrote in a statement.
"In the middle of deep grief, your support has been a light. It reminds us that love is real, that community is strong, and that James' spirit continues to bring people together. … Your respect and understanding will give [his family] the room they need to heal," they added.
