‘That’s my masked vigilante thing’<\/p>\n
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Published Feb 18, 2026 \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 Last updated 4\u00a0hours ago \u00a0\u2022\u00a0 3 minute read<\/p>\n
<\/a><\/p>\n You can save this article by registering for free here<\/a>. Or sign-in<\/a> if you have an account.<\/p>\n After racking up millions starring on The Big Bang Theory<\/a>, Kunal Nayyar uses his wealth to give back.<\/p>\n Advertisement 2<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada.<\/p>\n Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account.Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on.Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists.Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.<\/p>\n REGISTER \/ SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.<\/p>\n THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK.<\/p>\n Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.<\/p>\n Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authors<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Nayyar played Raj Koothrappali for 12 seasons on the hit CBS comedy, and at the height of its popularity he \u2014 along with his castmates \u2014 was earning $1 million-per-episode.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n According to Forbes, Nayyar was ranked<\/a> as the world\u2019s third-highest-paid TV actors in 2015, 2016 and 2018 with earnings in excess of $20 million annually. Earlier this year, Fortune\u00a0pegged<\/a> Nayyar\u2019s reported net worth at $45 million.<\/p>\n But in a December 2025 interview with The i Paper <\/a>that is currently going viral<\/a> on X with over 9.3 million views after it was re-shared by Pubity, Nayyar revealed that he generously gives money away to help people in need.<\/p>\n He views it as his type of superpower.<\/p>\n \u201cMoney has given me greater freedom and the greatest gift is the ability to give back, to change people\u2019s lives,\u201d Nayyar said in the interview. \u201cWe 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\u2019 medical bills. That\u2019s my masked vigilante thing!\u201d<\/p>\n Your Midday Sun<\/p>\n Thanks for signing up!<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Advertisement 3<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Nayyar and his wife, Neha Kapur, also use his riches to fund university scholarships for young people from disadvantaged backgrounds.<\/p>\n His wealth \u201cdoesn\u2019t feel like a burden,\u201d he said. \u201cIt feels like a grace from the universe.\u201d<\/p>\n \u201cI\u2019ve cleaned toilets in Portland, been held up for 76 cents in Philadelphia, and my first acting job on TV was playing a terrorist,\u201d he said when he announced his autobiography in 2013<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nayyar got the job on Big Bang Theory with just one acting credit.<\/p>\n He knows hardship and said in his chat with i Paper<\/a> that people don\u2019t have to be rich to give back.<\/p>\n \u201cRight now, people are not happy,\u201d Nayyar said, \u201cbecause we are all expecting someone else to be kind. We are expecting a president or a politician, some leader, to come and bring us world peace. 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 and say, \u2018Get away\u2019\u2026 No one is going to come and change the world for you. You have to do it for yourself.\u201d<\/p>\n Advertisement 4<\/p>\n This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below.<\/p>\n Article content<\/p>\n Read More<\/p>\n ‘Very lucky’: ‘Big Bang Theory’ actress reveals she’s cancer-free<\/p>\n <\/a> Katie Holmes and ‘Dawson’s Creek’ stars react to James Van Der Beek’s death as friends launch GoFundMe<\/p>\n <\/a> Kunal Nayyar takes break from ‘Big Bang Theory’ for ‘Dr. Cabbie’<\/p>\n <\/a> ‘The Big Bang Theory’: Looking back on TV’s biggest comedy<\/p>\n <\/a><\/p>\n As news of Nayyar\u2019s reported generosity made the rounds on social media, fans praised the sitcom star for his kindness.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s 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,\u201d one X user wrote<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cQuietly erasing medical debt at 2 a.m. while the rest of Hollywood is posting jet selfies is honestly peak \u2018quiet luxury\u2019 energy,\u201d another person shared<\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s wild to think that the same guy who played Raj is out here quietly saving families from financial ruin just because he can,\u201d a third account commented<\/a>.<\/p>\n Nayyar\u2019s interview went viral after a GoFundMe<\/a> to help the family of the late James Van Der Beek<\/a> raised over $2.6 million after the Dawson Creek star\u2019s death following a battle with cancer earlier this month.<\/p>\n Van Der Beek\u2019s \u201cextended fight against cancer\u201d left his wife Kimberly and his six children \u201cout of funds\u201d and \u201cfacing an uncertain future,\u201d according to the GoFundMe page.<\/p>\n![\"Kunal](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/the-big-bang-theory_53793185.jpg\")
Kunal Nayyar in a scene from ‘The Big Bang Theory’. Photo by Michael Yarish \/CBSArticle content<\/p>\n![\"Toronto](\"https:\/\/dcs-static.gprod.postmedia.digital\/20.6.2\/websites\/images\/identity\/logo-identity-tsun.svg\"){kind=logo}
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Kunal Nayyar and Neha Kapur arrive at the People\u2019s Choice Awards at the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles on Jan. 18, 2017. Photo by TOMMASO BODDI \/AFP\/Getty Images\u2018Right now, people are not happy\u2019<\/p>\n![\"Kate](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/ie\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/02\/C02_878658-scaled-e1703005250344.jpg\")
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