High Potential’s Kaitlin Olson reveals ‘very difficult’ milestone as she details dad’s ‘excruciating’ final months before death

Kaitlin Olson opened up about a “very difficult” family milestone. The High Potential actress wished her mother a happy birthday just months after her father, Donald Lee Olson, passed away.

Kaitlin, 50, posted a throwback photo of her mom, Melinda Olson, on Instagram, writing: “How cute is my mom?? She had just married my dad in this photo after meeting him on her 21st birthday. Today is her first birthday without him since then.”

The actress went on, adding how hard the past few months have been on her mom, who cared for him during his final days.

“She is an incredible wife…the way she showed up, spoke up, advocated for my dad and never backed down during five excruciating months in the ICU,” Kaitlin wrote. “She’s the ultimate mom…patient, kind, supportive…the biggest cheerleader for anyone she loves.”

Ever the comedian, Kaitlin added: “She’s also gonna kill me for posting this. But there’s no one more deserving of love and support on this very difficult birthday. If you’d like to leave a message here for sweet Melinda, go nuts. I love you, my mama.”

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Kaitlin Olson’s heartbreaking loss

The celebration comes two months after Kaitlin announced the death of her father. The It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia actress honored her late-father on Instagram, writing: “My dad died. My first love, my first protector and my forever favorite person. He fought so hard and so long to stay with us. I hate words right now. None are good enough to describe who he was.”

Since her dad’s passing, Kaitlin has surrounded herself with family and friends. She has been married to fellow actor Rob McElhenney, 49, since 2008 and is the mom to two sons, Alex, 14, and Leo, 13, all of whom supported Kaitlin during this difficult time.

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After Donald’s death, Rob wrote to Instagram: “Words are impossible. There is no one like him. My whole goal in life is to be half the man he was. I’ve never seen a person love someone the way he loved you. I am so grateful that he lived and so proud that I got to be his son for the past 17 years.”

A week after she announced her dad’s passing, Kaitlin stepped out to attend a panel in Los Angeles for the final season of Hacks, in which she stars as lead Jean Smart‘s character Deborah Vance’s daughter DJ Vance.

She shared the event with her social media followers, simply writing: “Pulled myself together for a final @Hacks panel. What a gift this show is.”

Aside from Hacks, for which Kaitlin earned an Emmy nomination, the actress is the lead of High Potential. The second season of the crime-comedy wrapped in April 2026.

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Will High Potential be returning for another season?

In times of sadness, many turn to comedy. Kaitlin, who has starred in comedies for over 25 years, is a pro at that. The actress is set to return to High Potential on ABC. The series was renewed for a third season weeks before its season two finale aired. 

While the premiere date for season three of High Potential hasn’t been announced yet, it was confirmed that pre-production on the upcoming episodes began in the summer of 2026.