Rebecca Gayheart and Hard Rock Cafe Co-Founder Peter Morton Spark Romance Rumors

Actress Rebecca Gayheart appears to have started a new romantic chapter with 78-year-old magnate Peter Morton, following her separation from estranged spouse Eric Dane.

Gayheart and Dane ended their relationship in 2018, later withdrawing their divorce filing in 2025 as Dane faced an ALS diagnosis. Dane has since been linked to rumored girlfriend Janell Shirtcliff, while Gayheart has been seen with Morton since 2023.

Morton accumulated his vast fortune by establishing both the Hard Rock Cafe and Hard Rock Hotel franchises — which he subsequently sold for $410 million and $770 million, respectively.

The entrepreneur once achieved a record for the highest residential property sale price in Los Angeles history when his Malibu estate sold for an astonishing $110 million in 2018, as reported by The Los Angeles Times.

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Continue reading for additional details about Morton and his connection with Gayheart.

Peter Morton Cofounded the Hard Rock Cafe Brand

Peter Morton is the son of the late Arnie Morton, who founded the Morton’s Steakhouse chain. In June 1971, he emulated his father’s entrepreneurial spirit by collaborating with friend Isaac Tigrett to open the inaugural Hard Rock Cafe in London.

These rock & roll-themed eateries expanded globally with a second location opening in Toronto, Canada, in 1978. Morton and Tigrett eventually launched over 300 Hard Rock-branded establishments across 70 countries.

Morton spearheaded the expansion of the rock music-inspired brand into a series of Hard Rock Hotels, launching the first resort in Las Vegas in 1995. By 2025, Hard Rock Hotels were established in locations such as Atlantic City, New Jersey, Hollywood, Florida, Cancun, Mexico, and Athens, Greece, among other popular destinations.

Peter Morton Broke a Record With the $110 million Sale of His Los Angeles Home

According to Forbes, Morton achieved the record for the highest-priced home sale in Los Angeles history when his Malibu Carbon Beach property fetched $110 million in 2018. (A 9.5-acre oceanfront estate in Malibu later set a new L.A. record, selling for $210 million in June 2024.)

Morton’s Malibu residence occupied a half-acre plot adjacent to California’s renowned Pacific Coast Highway. The Los Angeles Times reported that the main house and guest house collectively offered 8,000 square feet of living space, featuring seven bedrooms and nine bathrooms. Amenities included a swimming pool, a courtyard garden, and 100 feet of beachfront access.

Real estate agent Jack Pritchett commented to the publication in 2018 that sales of this magnitude were uncommon for the Malibu area.

“There will never be that many enormous sales [in Malibu], because only a limited number of homes possess extensive beachfront and multiple parcels,” he elaborated. “We might say $110 million is absurd, but you cannot find multi-lot properties like Morton’s.”

Morton realized an extraordinary profit on his Malibu house, having reportedly acquired it for $5.6 million through staggered payments over three decades.

Peter Morton Made Millions Selling Hard Rock Brand

Morton retained the rights to establish Hard Rock Cafes and Hotels in specific geographical regions as part of a business arrangement with his former associate, Isaac Tigrett.

In June 1996, Morton announced that he and his business partners had sold their interest in the Hard Rock Cafe restaurants to the Rank Organization for $410 million. (Morton personally earned approximately $300 million from this transaction, according to reports.)

The Associated Press reported in May 2006 that Morton and his partners had divested the Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas — along with other related assets — to the Morgans Hotel Group Company for $770 million in cash.

“It was simply time to cash in,” Morton told The Associated Press. “I am looking to pursue different endeavors in my life. That was the extent of it.”

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He explained to The Los Angeles Times in November 2026 that he was never entirely at ease being involved in the gambling industry.

“I never found satisfaction in defeating people in the gaming business,” he confessed. “I have addiction in my family, and gambling is merely another form of addiction. So, when we had a successful day, we were profiting from individuals with addiction issues, which never pleased me. And naturally, the local prices were high, there was ample liquidity there, and we were in an excellent position to sell.”

When asked about any regrets, Morton admitted: “My only regret about moving on is leaving the rock scene behind. I will miss announcing the arrival of the Rolling Stones at a concert.”

Peter Morton Has Been Married Twice

Morton was initially married to British model Paulene Stone from 1980 to 1986. They had a son, Harry Morton, during their marriage.

Peter also acted as a stepfather to Stone’s daughter from a previous relationship, the late bounty hunter Domino Harvey. (Keira Knightley famously portrayed Harvey in the 2005 film Domino. Harvey passed away at age 35 in 2005 from a suspected fentanyl overdose.)

The mogul welcomed two children during his second marriage to Tarlton Pauley, which concluded in 1997. (Pauley died at age 55 in October 2017.)

The restaurateur reportedly also had an on-again, off-again relationship with supermodel Linda Evangelista between 2006 and 2013.

Peter Morton’s Son Harry Morton Died at 38

Peter’s son Harry also achieved success in the culinary sector by launching the Pink Taco casual dining chain in Los Angeles in 1999. He also previously owned L.A. hotspot The Viper Room, which was at one point co-owned by Johnny Depp.

Harry gained public attention for his brief romance with Lindsay Lohan in 2006.

Harry was discovered deceased at age 38 in his Beverly Hills residence in November 2019. Page Six reported that Harry succumbed to cardiac arrest resulting from undiagnosed coronary artery disease.

Peter partnered with UCLA Health in 2023 to establish the Harry Morton Congenital Heart Disease Screening Fund in honor of his son.

“Harry was a man of numerous accomplishments, and a cherished friend to many. Creating a legacy for Harry in this manner means a great deal to our family,” Peter stated in a press release. “It brings me immense satisfaction to contribute significantly to research focused on congenital heart disease that will improve outcomes, ensuring other families do not have to endure what we have.”

Peter Morton Has Been Romantically Linked to Rebecca Gayheart

Peter was first associated with Gayheart when they joined supermodel Claudia Schiffer and her husband, director Matthew Vaughn, for a double date at Beverly Hills restaurant E. Baldi in April 2023, according to the Daily Mail.

Gayheart initiated divorce proceedings against her estranged husband, Eric Dane, in 2018, though she later requested the court to withdraw the petition in March 2025 amidst his ALS battle. The actress informed E! News the following month that she and Dane were navigating their co-parenting relationship.

“We are the closest of friends. We are genuinely close. We are excellent co-parents,” Gayheart said in April 2025. “We truly found the method for remaining a family, and I believe our children are greatly benefiting from it, as are we.”

Whispers of Gayheart dating Peter resurfaced in December 2025 when the Daily Mail published images of them sharing a kiss outside E. Baldi — the same Beverly Hills eatery where they had been spotted on a double date over two years prior.

Neither individual has publicly commented on their relationship status as of the time of publication.