Funny film star — fellow getting nothing back (7)
I believe the answer is:
chaplin
'funny film star' is the definition.
The definition suggests a singular noun which matches the answer.
'fellow getting nothing back' is the wordplay.
'fellow' becomes 'chap' (both can mean a man).
'getting' means one lot of letters go next to another.
'nothing' becomes 'nil' (eg nil is zero in football).
'back' is a reversal indicator.
'nil' written backwards gives 'lin'.
'chap'+'lin'='CHAPLIN'
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for chaplin that I've seen before include "bowler went over this player's head?" , "Charlie . . . . . . ., great clown of the cinema" , "Comedian who wore baggy pants and bowler hat" , "Old comedy star" , "Charlie --, silent film star" .)