| STOODIN | Performed as an understudy (2 wds.) |
| DOUBLE | Twice appearing as an understudy |
| FILLIN | What an understudy might do to this grid? (4,2) |
| GODOT | Title stage character that doesn't need an understudy |
| BEAU | Boyfriend starts by enlisting an understudy (4) |
| ACTING | Like an understudy on stage? (6) |
| BACKUP | Reinforce an understudy |
| DOUBLETALK | Gibberish, to an understudy? |
| EXACTOR | ONE WHO ONCE PERFORMED AS AN OPPRESSIVE CREDITOR |
| TOPPLED | Performed as an acrobat, and fell headlong (7) |
| DID | Performed as an actor (3) |
| TUMBLED | Performed as an acrobat, and fell headlong (7) |
| BROUGHTINTOPLAY | Assigned a role, as understudy will be in an emergency? (7,4,4) |
| STANDBY | A locum, fill-in, relief, reserve, supply, understudy or other substitute in a state of readiness; or, the sleep mode on an electronic device (5-2) |
| STANDIN | Understudy is nearly permanent (5-2) |
| DENT | Time understudy made an impression? (4) |
| INPLAY | Plainly, understudy left it operating (2,4) |
| DESDEMONA | Leading actor is understudy of the French devil as Shakespearean character (9) |
| DEPUTISED | Every principal to begin with studied dancing and acted as understudy |
| LAINIE | "Funny Girl" Streisand understudy Kazan |
