The most common and most likely answer to this crossword clue is the 6 plus 6 letter word BUSTER KEATON
I've seen this crossword clue in The Guardian
B
U
S
T
E
R
K
E
A
T
O
N
More clues leading to the result BUSTER KEATON
- Comic summary of Little Bighorn for Spooner?
- Funny rebuke about person who did good work a hundred years ago, a comic genius
- Great stone-faced film star demolished oak tree
- Comic news bulletin from Spooner at Little Bighorn?
- Film star is unsteady, but no retakes
- Early star with banker set out recklessly
- Silent comedian in tank sure to be in trouble
Buddy explains!
The straight part
We know that "Early star" is the straight/definition part of the clue. The straight part is often a synonym or definition, in this case early star = buster keaton.The cryptic/wordplay part
In cryptic crossword there's often an wordplay/cryptic part as well.This part involves a more complex hint, such as an anagram, homophone, hidden word, etc.
Sadly, We don't have an explanation for this specific crossword clue yet.