Elderly DoorDash driver Richard Pulley receives nearly $1M from strangers after viral video, doesn’t plan on retiring



Even nearly $1 million in donations can’t get 78-year-old DoorDash driver Richard Pulley to retire.

Pulley received the life-changing check that totaled $965,868 on Friday — just weeks after a viral video showed him carefully climbing steps to deliver a Starbucks order in Eastern Tennessee.

The video, shared by customer Brittany Smith, captured Pulley on her Ring doorbell going above and beyond on his deliveries.

DoorDash driver Richard Pulley, 78, and his wife Brenda receive a check for $965,868. FOX 17 News
But despite the generosity of strangers, Pulley has no plans to retire and intends to get back to work in a few days. FOX 17 News

It quickly went viral and inspired strangers to pour into the massive fundraiser aimed at giving Pulley and his wife Brenda, who often tags along on his deliveries, a break from bills and medical costs.

“My wife was working for an insurance company and they ended up letting her go,” Pulley told TODAY.com, adding that even with Social Security, they struggled to pay for her meds and their bills.

“When she left, it really put a pinch on us to pay bills. I had gotten lazy. You know, when we get 65 and retire … I wasn’t doing a lot, but all of a sudden, I had to get to work.”

Pulley dove headfirst into gig work, completing nearly 6,000 DoorDash orders, often with Brenda riding shotgun.

The work gave him purpose and a reason to keep moving, even as viral fame caught up with him.

“The last couple of shifts have worked out hard because people stop and take pictures with me and all sorts of things,” he said. “I’ll get back to work in the next few days.”

Despite the overwhelming generosity of strangers, Pulley says the work itself is part of why he keeps going.

Richard Pulley drops off a DoorDash delivery in Manchester, Tenn., on March 10, 2026. Gofundme
Brittany Smith created the GoFundMe for the couple to “help Richard go back into retirement!!” wsmv/NBC

“They’ve set my wife and I up so that we can live a more comfortable life, but after a week or two of this and it cools down, we’ll get back to work because I feel good being useful,” he said.

The fundraiser, titled “Give Richard a Chance to Rest Again,” has drawn more than 32,000 donations, including a $20,000 contribution from DoorDash CEO Tony Xu, who praised Pulley for his thousands of deliveries.

Smith, who helped spark the campaign, joined the couple at a local burger joint last week to show them the impact of the donations.

Married for over 56 years, the Pulleys were left stunned by the outpouring of generosity.

“It’s just really difficult to believe that there’s that many people that are that generous to try to help us,” Pulley told WSMV. “It’s taking a lot of pressure off us and making life livable once again.”

Brenda added, “Sometimes you look at all the bills you need to pay … if [you] don’t, you going to end up in the hospital with something even more expensive.”


‘Euphoria’ creator Sam Levinson donates generous $27K to GoFundMe for Eric Dane’s daughters



“Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson and his wife, Ashley, donated a generous $27,000 to a fundraiser for Eric Dane’s daughters, Billie and Georgia, following his death.

The GoFundMe campaign, which was created by friends of the Dane family, sits at $171,555 with the Levinson’s contribution, as of Saturday morning.

The fundraiser was created with a goal of $250,000.

“Euphoria” creator Sam Levinson (pictured above with Eric Dane at the April 2022 HBO Max “Euphoria” FYC event) donated $27,000 to a fundraiser created for Dane’s teenage daughters, Billie and Georgia. FilmMagic for HBO
The GoFundMe was created by friends of the late actor (seen above with his two daughters and wife Rebecca Gayheart in a photo shared on Aug. 20, 2022) with a goal of $250,000. rebeccagayheartdane/Instagram

It was reported that a crowd-fundraiser had been started to help Dane’s teenage daughters on Friday, just one day after the actor died.

“Following his diagnosis, Eric became a passionate spokesperson for the [amyotrophic lateral sclerosis] ALS community, using his voice and platform to advocate for fellow patients and to push for greater awareness. Even as his own health declined, he remained deeply committed to helping others facing the same devastating disease,” reads the campaign description.

“As his illness progressed far more quickly than anyone could have imagined, Eric’s friends have come together to create this GoFundMe to support his girls and their future needs.”

The campaign for the two teenage girls (seen above smiling alongside their dad at the “Bad Boys: Ride or Die” premiere on May 30, 2024) has raised $171,555 so far. FilmMagic
After his death, Levinson and several other “Euphoria” cast members (pictured above at the 2019 “Euphoria” premiere afterparty) honored Dane with touching tributes. Getty Images for FIJI Water

After his death, several of Dane’s former “Euphoria” and “Grey’s Anatomy” co-stars honored the actor with touching tributes.

In a statement to Page Six, Levinson said he was “heartbroken” over the loss of his “dear friend.”

“Working with him was an honor. Being his friend was a gift,” he continued. “Eric’s family is in our prayers. May his memory be for a blessing.”

Dane died Thursday at the age of 53 following a battle with ALS.

In a statement given to Page Six, Levinson remembered Dane (both pictured above taking a solo shot at the 2019 “Euphoria” premiere afterparty) saying he was “heartbroken” over the death of his “dear friend.” Getty Images for FIJI Water
Dane (seen above stepping out with his daughter and wife, Rebecca Gayheart) died on Thursday at age 53 following a battle with ALS. ShotbyNYP / BACKGRID

“He spent his final days surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife [Rebecca Gayheart], and his two beautiful daughters, Billie and Georgia, who were the center of his world,” his family confirmed in a statement to People.

“Throughout his journey with ALS, Eric became a passionate advocate for awareness and research, determined to make a difference for others facing the same fight. He will be deeply missed, and lovingly remembered always.”

The family noted that the “Grey’s Anatomy” alum “adored his fans” and “is forever grateful” for the love and support he’s received over the years. They’ve asked for privacy at this “impossible time.”

In the new Netflix series “Famous Last Words,” which was released on Friday only hours after his death was announced, Dane was able to share his final words to his daughters.

The actor was “surrounded by dear friends, his devoted wife, and his two beautiful daughters” (pictured above posing for photos at the 16th Annual Chrysalis Butterfly Ball in June 2017) in his final days. WireImage
Dane offered his final words to his daughters in the Netflix series, “Famous Last Words,” which was released shorty after his passing. Netflix

“I tried. I stumbled sometimes, but I tried. Overall, we had a blast, didn’t we?” he started, before sharing one last lesson for his girls.

“I hope you won’t just listen to me, I hope you’ll hear me,” he began. “First, live now, right now in the present. It’s hard, but I learned to do that.”

“For years, I would wander off mentally, lost in my head for long chunks of time, wallowing in worry and self-pity, shame and doubt,” the “Charmed” alum continued. “I replayed decisions, second-guessed myself. ‘I should have done this. I never should’ve done that.’ No more.”