The Big Bang Theory made its stars some of the highest-paid actors on television, but Kunal Nayyar says the greatest benefit of that success has been the chance to help others.
The actor, who gained worldwide recognition as Raj Koothrappali in the long-running CBS sitcom, explained that financial success has given him the freedom to support causes he cares about.
In a recent interview, Nayyar shared that he and his wife regularly fund scholarships for students from disadvantaged communities and donate to charities focused on animal welfare.
He also has a unique late-night routine. The actor said he often scrolls through GoFundMe campaigns and pays off medical bills for families in need. “That’s my masked vigilante thing,” he joked.
During the show’s peak, Nayyar reportedly earned around $1 million per episode and was later listed by Forbes among the highest-paid actors in 2015 and 2018. Most recently, he appeared in the 2025 British musical comedy Christmas Karma.