Artist Al Hirschfeld, one of the best known caricaturists in history, died in his sleep at his home in New York City on January 20, 2003. He was 99. Best known for his witty caricatures of actors and personalities, Hirschfeld's drawings also provided the inspiration for the "Rhapsody in Blue" segment of FANTASIA 2000. Directed by Eric Goldberg, the segment evoked New York in the 1930s. Hirschfeld, whose life was detailed in the 1996 documentary, THE LINE KING, was also well known in the American theater community. Over his long career Hirschfeld earned two Tony awards for lifetime achievement in the theater, and providing countless sketches for Playbill and the Drama section of the New York Times, where his work has appeared for over 70 years.

Charles Solomon takes a closer look at the "Rhapsody in Blue" sequence -- Fantasia 2000's jewel in the crown.