LOS ANGELES – A computer mouse to Matt Hirschfeld is what a pen was to the late caricature artist Al Hirschfeld and it is something he has been using to draw digitally since he was a kid.

"Just drawing things, it's just always something that stuck with me," said Matt Hirschfeld.

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For those unfamiliar with Al Hirschfeld, he drew just about everyone involved in pop culture during the 1920s up until his death in 2003, all in his specialized caricature style. Matt, who shares Al's last name and grew up in the same city of St. Louis Missouri, is a distant relative of the late artist.

After watching a documentary about Al called The Line King, Matt was inspired to pick up where Al left off.

"He's trying to draw on the computer and he admits it's not for him but maybe someday another artist might come around and do what he does. That's when it hit me. This is something that I could do and I think this would be something that would be very interesting for people," said Matt Hirschfeld.

It turns out his feeling was right. Matt has drawn more than 1,000 characters and has been commissioned all over the world, from banks to condo developments, to Hollywood. One of his favorites was the 2013 Emmy Campaign for NBC when he was tasked with drawing the cast of many of their hit shows like 30 Rock, Law and Order SVU, and The Office.

"It was a really big deal because you grow up watching these shows and then finally you get to draw the personalities from it. It was actually one of the biggest thrills of my life," said Matt Hirschfeld.

His personal favorite from that campaign was getting a chance to draw Saturday Night Live.

"I was never going to give up this, this was like the dream job for me," said Matt Hirschfeld.

Some celebrities have certainly taken notice of his craft. While he doesn't normally meet them, he will sometimes receive a letter, like from actor Leonardo DiCaprio for his illustration of him in Gangs of New York.

The letter reads:

"Dear Matt, great interpretation and fantastic work all the best in the world with your future endeavors."

"Quite a surprise you know, when you get something from an actor who you really admire and maybe is the actor of your generation," said Matt Hirschfeld.

To see how the magic happens Matt started drawing reporter Sarah Pilla. He starts with a foundation, placing one dot, then another to form a line.

"From there I can change the lines with, I can bend it, I can change its direction, I can change its color, whatever I want to do," said Matt Hirschfeld.

Layer after layer the drawing is complete and Sarah has been officially Hirschfelded. After all the artists who draw in Al's style, Matt is the only one carrying on the name. Those who knew Al, appreciate that his legacy is staying alive through a new generation.

"They love that I'm carrying on the torch, and that I'm paying homage to him, but also doing it in a style that's my own," said Matt Hirschfeld.