Celebrity Restaurateur Harry Morton Dies at 38

Lohan ex founded Pink Taco chain
By Rob Quinn,  Newser Staff
Posted Nov 25, 2019 5:31 AM CST
Updated Nov 25, 2019 6:51 AM CST
Celebrity Restaurateur Harry Morton Dies at 38
In this June 28, 2007 photo, Harry Morton, left, Luis Barajas, center, founder of Flaunt magazine, and Jessica Alba are seen at the opening of the Pink Taco restaurant in Los Angeles.   (AP Photo/Chris Polk, File)

The Pink Taco chain is mourning founder Harry Morton. The restaurateur has died at age 38, the chain confirmed Sunday. Sources tell People that Morton was found dead at his Beverly Hills home Saturday. Law enforcement sources tell TMZ that an autopsy is pending, but authorities do not suspect foul play at this point. Morton, who also co-owned the Viper Room nightclub in Los Angeles, was the latest in a line of successful restaurateurs. His grandfather, Arnie Morton, co-founded Morton's The Steakhouse and his father, Peter Morton, co-founded the Hard Rock Cafe in 1971, the AP reports. Harry Morton was just 18 when he founded Pink Taco.

"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," Pink Taco said in a statement. People reports that Morton was romantically linked to numerous celebrities over the years, including Lindsey Lohan, Demi Moore, Jennifer Aniston, Britney Spears, and Paris Hilton. He was also a volunteer deputy at the West Hollywood Sheriff's Station, where he was recently honored as a reserve detective of the year, according to TMZ. "Best friends. Best life," Lohan said in an Instagram post, sharing a photo of herself and Morton, whom she dated for a few months in 2006. (More obituary stories.)

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