Crossword Genius

Actor Nicholas died in prison (5)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

caged

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'in prison' is the definition.
(I've seen this in another clue)

'actor nicholas died' is the wordplay.
'actor nicholas' becomes 'cage' (I can't justify this - if you can you should believe this answer much more).
'died' becomes 'd' (abbreviation next to the year of someone's death).
'cage'+'d'='CAGED'

Can you help me to learn more?

(Other definitions for caged that I've seen before include "Cooped up" , "in prison" , "Shut up" , "In a zoo?" , "Confined behind bars" .)

I've seen this clue in The Sun.
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