Kunal Nayyar has sparked fresh online interest after revealing that he quietly donates to families struggling with medical bills through GoFundMe, describing himself as a kind of “masked vigilante.”
The actor, best known for playing Raj Koothrappali on CBS’ The Big Bang Theory, shared in an interview that he browses crowdfunding campaigns at night and pays off medical expenses anonymously.
Fans have since responded across social media, praising the actor’s generosity while discussing the broader issue of medical costs in the United States.
‘The greatest gift’
Nayyar, whose net worth has been reported at $45 million, was among the highest-paid television actors during the peak of The Big Bang Theory, earning a reported $1 million per episode in later seasons.
He reflected on how wealth has shaped his outlook and approach to giving.
“Money has given me greater freedom and the greatest gift is the ability to give back, to change people’s lives,” Nayyar told The i Paper late last year, which was quoted by Variety this week.
“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.”
The philanthropist’s comments began trending as conversations continued online about crowdfunding for medical care, particularly following the death of actor James Van Der Beek at the age of 48.
As reported by Newsweek, a GoFundMe campaign organized by friends of the Dawson’s Creek star surpassed $2 million after his death from stage three colorectal cancer.
The fundraiser stated that, “throughout his illness, the family faced not only emotional challenges, but also significant financial strain as they did everything possible to support James and provide for his care.
“In the wake of this loss, Kimberly and the children are facing an uncertain future,” the page reads.
“The costs of James’s medical care and the extended fight against cancer have left the family out of funds.”
High-profile donors contributed to the campaign, including director Steven Spielberg and his wife Kate Capshaw, who donated $25,000, according to Newsweek.
‘How screwed up’
Online, reactions to Nayyar’s charitable habit were largely positive, amid more than 400 comments in two days.
In a Reddit thread discussing his comments this week, one fan shared, “ I saw a thread once about people knowing celebrities before they were famous and he was mentioned as being such a great guy, which now checks out.”
Another contributor chipped in: “I always remember him calling out Ellen when she said for every question he answers they will donate to charity. And he said they could do it regardless.”
A critic noted, “Awesome he does this. But how screwed up that it has to be done this way.”
As crowdfunding platforms increasingly serve as a financial safety net for families facing serious illness, Nayyar’s admission has added a personal dimension to the debate—highlighting both the generosity of individual donors and the systemic gaps that often lead families to seek help online.
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