Crossword Genius

Intense as, say, Jack Palance's debut (4)

Ross

I believe the answer is:

deep

'intense' is the definition.
(associated in meaning)

'say jack palance's debut' is the wordplay.
'say jack' becomes 'Dee' (Jack Dee is a comedian).
'debut' suggests taking the first letters.
The first letter of 'palance' is 'p'.
'dee'+'p'='DEEP'

'as' acts as a link.

(Other definitions for deep that I've seen before include "Mysterious" , "down a long way" , "Profound - cunning - sea - bass" , "hard to understand" , "Sunk low" .)

I've seen this clue in The Guardian.
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