Kunal Nayyar, best known for playing Raj Koothrappali on The Big Bang Theory, says his success on the hit sitcom has allowed him to quietly change people’s lives.
The actor, who starred in the CBS comedy for all 12 seasons beginning in 2007, revealed that the wealth he gained from the series has given him the freedom to help others in meaningful ways. Rather than feeling weighed down by financial success, Nayyar says it has become an opportunity to give back.
In an interview with The i Paper, he shared that he and his wife frequently support college scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds and donate to animal charities because of their love for dogs.
Nayyar also admitted he has a habit of browsing GoFundMe late at night. “What I really love to do is go on GoFundMe and just pay random families’ medical bills,” he said, jokingly describing himself as a “masked vigilante.”
During The Big Bang Theory’s run, the cast reportedly earned around $1 million per episode. Nayyar was later named one of the highest-paid television actors by Forbes in 2015 and 2018. Most recently, he appeared in the 2025 British musical comedy Christmas Karma.