Morton’s father Peter Morton co-founded Hard Rock Cafe with rock entrepreneur Isaac Tigrett in 1971. The restaurant will not survive the resort’s renovation and re-branding as Virgin Hotels Las Vegas in 2020. The restaurant this year celebrated its 20th anniversary. The younger Morton opened Pink Taco at Hard Rock Hotel, then owned by his father, in 1999. Our thoughts and condolences are with his family and friends during this difficult time.” In a statement, Pink Taco issued a company statement, saying it was saddened by 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 Beverly Hills Police Department is investigating. Variety has reported that the Los Angeles County Sheriff’s Department confirmed Morton died at his residence Saturday afternoon. TMZ was first to report that Morton was found unresponsive at his Beverly Hills home and was discovered by a family member. Harry Morton, who founded the Pink Taco restaurant chain and is the son of Morton’s Steakhouse chain founder and former Hard Rock Hotel owner Peter Morton, has died at age 38. 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, Thursday, June 28, 2007.
