Big Bang Theory’s Kunal Nayyar secretly pays for strangers’ medical bills

Kunal Nayyar (centre) with Big Bang Theory co-stars Kaley Cuoco (left) and Johnny Galecki (right). Photo / Cliff Lipson, CBS

A star from the most successful sitcom of the 2010s has revealed he secretly enjoys spending his fortune paying for strangers’ medical bills.

Kunal Nayyar, who played Raj Koothrappali on the hit comedy serial Big Bang Theory, made the wholesome confession in a recent interview with British publication The i Paper.

“Money has given me greater freedom and the greatest gift is the ability to give back, to change people’s lives,” he said in the December 2025 interview that has since gone viral, according to the New York Daily News.

“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!”

Fortune magazine reported the 44-year-old actor has a net worth of $75,312,000.

Kunal Nayyar and wife Neha Kapur in 2015. Photo / Lester Cohen, WireImage

Nayyar continued, saying “No, money doesn’t feel like a burden, it feels like a grace from the universe.”

He added that he and his wife, model and designer Neha Kapur, shared a love of dogs and regularly contributed to several dog welfare organisations.

The New York Daily News reported the couple also donated towards university scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds.

Nayyar played astrophysicist Raj Koothrappali throughout the Emmy-winning Big Bang Theory’s entire 2007-19 run.

Variety reported the principal cast earned a staggering $1,673,600 per episode during the show’s peak.

Nayyar was listed as the world’s third-highest-paid actor in 2015 and 2018, earning $33,472,000 and $39,329,600, respectively.

“We are expecting a president or a politician, some leader, to come and bring us world peace,” he said to The i Paper.

“But there is no world peace if your neighbour comes to your door wanting some sugar for their tea, and you lock it against them.

“No one is going to come and change the world for you. You have to do it for yourself.”

The Big Bang Theory cast. Photo / supplied

Nayyar’s undercover generosity came into the spotlight following the death of Dawson’s Creek actor James Van Der Beek from cancer last week.

A GoFundMe fundraiser, set up by Van Der Beek’s friends to support his wife and six children, has raised $4,519,854.

The family said they were left “out of funds” after his years-long cancer battle.

“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,” his friends said in a statement.

“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 them the room they need to heal.”