How Kunal Nayyar's Net Worth Reached $45 Million Since 'Big Bang Theory' Ended

July 24, 2024

Kunal Nayyar, the talented British-Indian actor, has experienced an extraordinary surge in his net worth following the conclusion of the immensely popular TV series, The Big Bang Theory. Known for his portrayal of Rajesh Koothrappali, Nayyar’s journey through the show was marked by unique aspects that contributed to his financial success.

When The Big Bang Theory concluded, some actors expressed mixed feelings about the show’s ending. However, Nayyar wasn’t one of them. He embraced the conclusion wholeheartedly, stating, “I think it’s a beautiful way to end.” The actor’s positivity and gratitude for the show’s impact on his career and life reflected his professionalism and appreciation for the opportunity he had been given.

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The financial gains Nayyar achieved during his time on The Big Bang Theory served as a strong foundation for his post-show endeavors, making his journey to a $45 million net worth a compelling story of talent, dedication, and smart choices in the world of entertainment.

7 How Much Did Kunal Nayyar Earn From The Big Bang Theory?

Estimated Net Worth Boost: At least $20 million

Starting salary: $45,000
Final salary: $1 million

When Kunal Nayyar first joined The Big Bang Theory, he started with a salary of $45,000 per episode. However, as the show’s popularity soared, so did his earnings. By the time the series reached its conclusion, he was earning a remarkable $1 million for each episode, on a par with the best-paid cast members on the sitcom.

This substantial increase in his per-episode salary showcased not only the show’s massive success, but also the significant financial gains that came with it. Over the course of the series, which spanned 12 seasons and featured over 280 episodes, Kunal Nayyar’s income from The Big Bang Theory served as a substantial pillar of his continued financial success.

6 Kunal Nayyar Earned A Fortune From The Trolls Franchise

Estimated Net Worth Boost: At least $5 million

Trolls at the box office: $346 million
Trolls World Tour digital release earnings: $288 million
Trolls Band Together digital release earnings: unknown

Other than The Big Bang Theory, another one of Kunal Nayyar’s most prominent acting credits is in the 2016 animated comedy-musical Trolls, as well as its two sequels, Trolls World Tour (2020) and Trolls Band Together (2023). In the first installment, Nayyar lent his voice to the character of Guy Diamond, “a glittery Troll with a highly auto-tuned voice.” The movie, featuring an ensemble cast, grossed an impressive $346 million worldwide.

The second movie, Trolls World Tour was notable for its innovative digital release due to the COVID-19 pandemic, making it accessible to a wide audience. The film's unique distribution strategy paid off, earning approximately $193 million in the United States, and over $288 million globally.

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Trolls Band Together was penciled in for a November 2023 release, with Kunal Nayyar set to return in his role as Guy Diamond once again, ultimately boosting Kunal Nayyar's net worth even more.

5 Kunal Nayyar Added To His Net Worth With His Earnings In Apple TV Plus’ Suspicion

Estimated Net Worth Boost: Unknown

Suspicion premiered on Apple TV Plus in February 2022
Apple TV Plus canceled Suspicion after just one season

Kunal Nayyar further expanded his financial horizons with his involvement in the Apple TV Plus series, Suspicion. The gripping drama series debuted in 2022, and revolves around the mysterious disappearance of an American media mogul’s son named Leonardo. The storyline unfolds as five ordinary citizens, including Nayyar’s character, Aadesh, become embroiled in the investigation.

While Kunal Nayyar’s earnings for his role in Suspicion may not be readily available, it’s worth noting that Apple TV Plus has been known to invest substantially in its original content. Actors on the platform often benefit from competitive compensation packages. In general, actors in leading roles for streaming series can earn anywhere from hundreds of thousands to millions of dollars per season.

4 Think Like A Dog Added A Decent Sum To Kunal Nayyar’s Net Worth

Estimated Net Worth Boost: Around $500,000

Think Like a Dog was produced on a $13 million budget
Kunal Nayyar played a leading role in Think Like a Dog

The family-friendly sci-fi comedy film Think Like a Dog was released in 2020, and subsequently added a substantial sum to Kunal Nayyar’s net worth. In the movie, he played a character known as Mr. Mills.

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Think Like a Dog was produced on a budget of approximately $13 million. According to estimates provided by No Film School, leading actors in such productions typically earn around 3% of the entire budget. In Nayyar’s case, this would have translated to a considerable sum of around half a million dollars.

3 Kunal Nayyar Sold His Los Angeles House For $3.9 Million In 2020

Estimated Net Worth Boost: Around $1.1 million

Kunal Nayyar and partner Neha Kapur Nayyar purchased the Hollywood home for $2.81 million in 2012
The sale of Kunal Nayyar’s mansion in 2020 added more than $1 million to his net worth

In 2020, Kunal Nayyar made headlines when he sold his stunning Los Angeles home for a staggering $3.9 million. The property boasts luxurious features and an elegant design, spanning over 5,000 square feet and featuring five bedrooms, six bathrooms, a grand living room, and a chef’s kitchen.

The sale of this exquisite property not only added to Kunal Nayyar’s net worth and wealth, but also highlighted his knack for making sound real estate investments. The actor’s ability to purchase such a lavish property and later secure a substantial profit from its sale demonstrated his financial acumen and wise investment choices.

2 Kunal Nayyar Published His Memoir In 2015

Estimated Net Worth Boost: At least $150,000

Yes My Accent Is Real: And Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You was Kunal Nayyar’s first published book
Kunal Nayyar’s Yes My Accent Is Real is a bona-fide bestseller

In September 2015, Kunal Nayyar authored a memoir of his life and career. He titled the book Yes, My Accent Is Real: And Some Other Things I Haven’t Told You. The book provided readers with an intimate look into his life, upbringing, and experiences in Hollywood.

Yes, My Accent Is Real received very strong positive reviews and resonated with fans, becoming a bestseller. The success of his memoir not only showcased Nayyar’s writing talent but would have also added significantly to his earnings. In October 2023, an online copy of the book on Kindle cost around $13. A paperback option retailed at around $18.

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For a book to become a bestseller, it is usually required to hit a minimum threshold of 10,000 copies in sales. With this in mind, Nayyar should have easily made a considerable six-figure sum from selling his memoir.

1 Does Kunal Nayyar Have Any Upcoming Projects?

Estimated Net Worth Boost: Unknown

Kunal Nayyar is set to continue with his acting career
Kunal Nayyar is also known for philanthropic work with various charities

As fans eagerly anticipate Kunal Nayyar’s next on-screen appearance, there are indeed some exciting projects on the horizon for the talented actor. One of the highly anticipated ventures is his involvement in Spaceman, an American science fiction romantic drama comedy film directed by Johan Renck and written by Colby Day. The story of the movie is based on the 2017 novel Spaceman of Bohemia by Jaroslav Kalfař.

Nayyar is also known for his philanthropic endeavors, such as his golfing initiative to support Breast Cancer Research by Ulta Beauty. While not a traditional “project” in the entertainment sense, his commitment to making a positive impact on the world remains an important facet of his life.

Outside the realm of Hollywood, Nayyar continues to engage with his audience through social media, sharing insights into his personal and professional life.

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