Kunal Nayyar may have made millions playing Rajesh Koothrappali, but his favorite role happens quietly, late at night.
The actor recently revealed that he spends his evenings browsing GoFundMe campaigns and paying medical bills for families he’s never met. Speaking with The i Paper, Nayyar described the habit as his own version of being a “masked vigilante.”
“Money has given me freedom,” he explained. “The greatest gift is being able to change people’s lives.”
Alongside wife Neha Kapur, Nayyar also supports animal welfare organizations and privately funds scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds. With a reported net worth of $45 million, the actor says generosity has given his success meaning.
Nayyar believes that kindness shouldn’t be outsourced to leaders or institutions. “There is no world peace if you can’t help your neighbor,” he said.
Best known for his role on The Big Bang Theory, Nayyar appeared in all 12 seasons before the show’s 2019 finale. Since then, he’s expanded his résumé with TV roles like Night Court and films including Christmas Karma and Spaceman.