Riz Ahmed Reacts to Getting Tom Cruise's “Bangin’” Coconut Cake

Inside the Emmys 2026: What You Didn't See on TVRiz Ahmed has already won an Emmy, but he revealed he’s also part of an even more exclusive list: Tom Cruise’s coconut cake list. Indeed, the Bait actor revealed that he was added to the circle of Hollywood elite who receive Mission Impossible star’s annual holiday treat from Doan’s Bakery in Hollywood Hills, Calif.. “I made one coconut cake list,” Ahmed told Keltie Knight during the Live from E!: 2026 Emmys broadcast Sept. 14. “Let’s see how this year goes.” And here’s hoping for the Star Wars alum, who is set to star in Digger alongside Cruise, which will hit theaters in October. “I’ve got to be honest, I’m not usually a coconut guy, but that cake is bangin',” he mused. “Thank you, Tom. Appreciate it.” If he is to receive the coconut cake two years in a row, Ahmed is also going to make a point to take a much bigger bite this time around. “I didn’t get to taste much of it,” he admitted. “These guys cleaned it up. Family got ahold of it.”Of course, Ahmed did get to experience what his family couldn’t indulge in by working alongside Cruise. “He’s relentlessly positive the whole time,” the 43-year-old said of working with the action star, “which is so invigorating but as a British person at first it’s completely weird.” Indeed, Ahmed joked British culture couldn’t have prepared him for Cruise. “We can’t process that level of positivity,” he quipped. “You ask us how we’re doing and we never say, ‘Great.’ We say, ‘Not bad.’” Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesOf course Ahmed was, at least, feeling great about stepping out at the Emmys 2026, where he was nominated for Lead Actor in a Limited or Anthology Series alongside Black Rabbit’s Jason Bateman, Monster: The Ed Gein Story’s Charlie Hunnam, Beef’s Oscar Isaac and The Beast in Me’s Matthew Rhys. (Rhys ended up taking home the Emmy. See every other winner here). In fact, Ahmed, who previously nabbed a trophy in 2017 for his performance in The Night Of, explained he felt as though he’d already won to earn recognition for such a personal role. “My mom’s here today,” he mused. “The whole show is really a love letter to family.” If there’s one thing Ahmed gleaned from his role as Shah Latif—a struggling actor who puts his relationships at stake in pursuit of the career-defining role as James Bond—it’s that family matters more than any accolade. “We’re always trying to prove our worth to strangers and that’s for everyone now with social media so this is about a character looking for love in all the wrong places,” he explained of his Bait character, “and really it’s waiting for him at home. It’s with his family.” For more stars who stepped out at the Emmys 2026, keep reading….Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesZendayain custom Prada and Mikimoto jewelry. Randy Shropshire/NBC via Getty ImagesSelena Gomezin Louis Vuitton and Tiffany & Co. jewelry. Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesAyo Edebiriin Chanel and Mikimoto jewelry. Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesMariska Hargitayin Monse and Stuart Weitzman shoes.Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesNoah Wylein custom Brunello Cucinelli and Cartier watch. Jesse Grant/NBC via Getty ImagesNicole Kidmanin Chanel. Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesElle Fanningin Ralph Lauren and Cartier jewelry. Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesDakota Fanningin Carolina Herrera and Swarovski jewelry. Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesKristen Bellin Alberta Ferretti. Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesShailene Woodleyin Balenciaga. Jesse Grant/NBCJulia Garnerin Loewe and Marco Bicego jewelry. Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesFlorence Pughin Vivienne Westwood. Jesse Grant/NBC via Getty ImagesColman Domingoin custom Valentino and OMEGA watch. Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesKaley Cuoco & Tom Pelphreyin Christian Siriano (Cuoco) and Giorgio Armani (Pelphrey). Randy Shropshire/NBC via Getty ImagesJulianne Houghin Antonio Grimaldi. Jesse Grant/NBC via Getty ImagesSarah Pidgeonin Chanel. Photo by LISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesMichael Uriein Christian Siriano and Azza Fahmy jewelry.Jesse Grant/NBCAllison Janneyin Pamella Roland. Randy Shropshire/NBCEmilia Clarkein Prada. Kevin Mazur/Getty ImagesJohn Mulaney & Olivia Munnin Brunello Cucinelli (Mulaney) and FFORME (Munn). Randy Shropshire/NBCMichelle Pfeifferin Saint Laurent. Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesOscar Isaacin Celine. Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesJessica Williamsin Honor, Tyler Ellis bag, and Jessica McCormack jewelry.Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesHarrison Ford & Calista Flockhartin custom Paul Smith (Ford) and Zuhair Murad (Flockhart). Randy Shropshire/NBCSterling K. Brownin Brunello Cucinelli. Photo by Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesRyan Michelle Bathein Lia Stublia and Martin Katz jewelry. Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesLisa Kudrowin Celine. Amy Sussman/Getty ImagesPaul Anthony Kellyin Louis Vuitton and Vacheron Constantin watch. LISA O'CONNOR / AFP via Getty ImagesSally Fieldin Akris.Monica Schipper/Getty ImagesChase Infinitiin Louis Vuitton and Hearts on Fire jewelry. For the latest breaking news updates, click here to download the E! News App