Founder of West Coast chain Pink Taco and owner of Hollywood club

HARRY MORTON | April 1981 - Nov. 23, 2019

Harry Morton, a prominent restaurant founder and former club owner, was found dead Saturday at 38.

Mr. Morton, whose Pink Taco chain is a staple in the western U.S., was found unresponsive at his home in Beverly Hills, TMZ and People magazine reported.

The restaurant mogul had heart disease and suffered “sudden cardiac death,” his family said.

Los Angeles County coroner Matthew Miller “confirmed to the Morton family that Harry Morton had coronary artery disease with a mildly enlarged heart,” the family said in a statement.

The statement said family friend Kathy Magliato, a heart surgeon, also reported Mr. Morton “had calcification in three main arteries and suffered sudden cardiac death — an unexpected death caused by loss of heart function.”

He was found unresponsive by his brother Matthew, People reported. The Beverly Hills Police Department confirmed Mr. Morton’s death to the magazine.

Mr. Morton showed no warning signs before his death, a source close to the family said Tuesday night.

“He was healthy. No drug use,” the source said. “It’s been a shock to the family. He ran marathons and loved to go fishing.”

In a statement to TMZ, a spokesman for Pink Taco said the company is “saddened” by Mr. Morton’s death.

“Harry was a visionary and restaurateur ahead of his time, and his contributions, both professionally to our brand and personally to those he worked with, were numerous,” the spokesman said. “Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time.”

Mr. Morton came from a family of restaurateurs. His grandfather, Arnie, founded the Morton’s Steakhouse chain; his father, Peter, is a co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe.

“We are devastated by the loss of our beloved son, brother, and friend. Harry was the brightest light in all our lives and his spirit will live on forever,” the family said in the statement.

Mr. Morton was 18 when he started Pink Taco in 1999. He also notably bought the Viper Room club in Hollywood

in 2008, 15 years after actor River Phoenix overdosed outside the venue and died at 23.

He garnered attention for his personal life as well, as he was rumored to be romantically involved with stars such as Paris Hilton, Lindsay Lohan, Demi Moore, Britney Spears and others over the years.

“Best friends. Best life,” Ms. Lohan captioned a photo of the pair that she posted on Instagram on Sunday.