Failure in comic roles (5)
I believe the answer is:
loser
'failure' is the definition.
('loser' can be a synonym of 'failure')
'comic roles' is the wordplay.
'comic' indicates an anagram.
'roles' anagrammed gives 'LOSER'.
'in' acts as a link.
(Other definitions for loser that I've seen before include "Defeated person" , "Proverbially, one who hesitates" , "one plays without success" , "A failure, also-ran" , "Unsuccessful competitor" .)