[1] From the age of 15, Morton bused tables, worked in the kitchen, and performed a wide array of odd jobs in the family business.
He graduated from Hyde Park High School[5] and enlisted in the United States Army during World War II where he saw eight months of action after arriving in Normandy, France immediately after D-day.
[4] Arnie Morton opened his first restaurant, the Walton Walk, between Rush Street and Michigan Avenue in the 1950s.
[7] He went out on his own again after ten years,[4] partnering with Klaus Fritsch, the food and beverage director of the Playboy Clubs.
[10] The menu was sophisticated for the era, featuring filet mignon, roast duck, lamb shish kebab flambe, and Caesar salad.
They had five children: sons Michael and David; and daughters Stephanie Morton, Amy Morton-Levin and Debra Morton-Berger.
[16] His son Peter Morton is the founder and owner of Hard Rock Hotel and Casino and co-founder of Hard Rock Cafe; his daughter Pam Morton is the general manager of Morton's restaurant in Los Angeles;[17] his daughter Amy Morton-Levin is the owner and operator of the restaurant Found in Evanston, Illinois;[18][19] his son Michael Morton is the head of the N9NE Group which operates contemporary American steakhouses in Las Vegas, Chicago, and Dallas; his daughter Debra Morton-Berger is a documentary filmmaker and TV producer (PBS, A&E, Discovery, COMCAST) and owner of a contemporary European art gallery in Philadelphia;[citation needed] his daughter Stephanie Morton-Millstein is an artist and producer living in Los Angeles;[20] and his son David Morton is the co-owner of the Chicago restaurants—DMK Burger Bar, Fish Bar, County Barbeque, Henry's Swing Club and Ada Street.
[4] In recognition of his significant contributions, a resolution was presented to his family from the House of Representatives of the 94th General Assembly of the State of Illinois "so that his memory may be honored and ever cherished".