Marks wrote many popular holiday songs, such as: Rudolph the Red-Nosed Reindeer (1949) • Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree (1952) • I Heard the Bells on Christmas Day (1956) • Run Rudolph Run (1958) • A Holly Jolly Christmas (1962) • Silver and Gold (1964)

• He served in the U.S. Army during World War II, earning a Bronze Star and four Battle Stars as a Captain in the 26th Special Service Company.