Big Bang Theory star Kunal Nayyar describes himself as a “masked vigilante,” but others are calling him an “angel” who has been secretly donating money to help people pay massive medical bills, per Page Six.
The 44-year-old British-Indian actor, who played Raj Koothrappali on the hit sitcom during its 12-season run from 2007 to 2019, estimates he and wife Neha Kapur, 41, are worth $45 million and secretly paying medical bills makes them happy.
CBS
Laughingly calling it “my masked vigilante thing,” Kunal told The i Paper, “Money has given me greater freedom, and the greatest gift is the ability to give back, to change people’s lives.
“We 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’ medical bills. That’s my masked vigilante thing! So, no, money doesn’t feel like a burden. It feels like a grace from the universe.”
Kunal, who with his wife also funds college scholarships for students from disadvantaged backgrounds, believes too many people want the world to be better, but instead of doing anything about it, they sit back hoping someone else will take charge.
“Right now people are not happy, because we are all expecting someone else to be kind,” he says. “We are expecting a president or a politician — some leader — to come and bring us world peace.”
But people need to stop being passive and take the bull by the horns, he believes, adding: “No one is going to come and change the world for you. You have to do it for yourself.”
James Van Der Beek/Instagram
Kunal’s secret donations to GoFundMe individuals is especially notable in light of the colorectal cancer death of Dawson’s Creek star James Van Der Beek on Feb. 11 at age 48.
The actor’s widow, Kimberly, was reportedly “out of funds” after paying for long, costly treatments during James’ two-year battle with the disease, and she and their six kids faced an “uncertain future.”
GoFundMe
But the tragic situation triggered hundreds of donations to the family’s GoFundMe page topping $2.7 million.
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