At the age of seven, Hovey was involved in an automobile accident which caused temporary loss of sight in her left eye.

She attended "Indiana High School", and after graduation she pursued a career as a chorus girl.

In 1935, Hovey appeared in only one film, Circus Shadows, but was still receiving attention due to her "WAMPAS Baby Star" title.

Dark haired and pretty, Hovey eventually caught the attention of studios after appearing in several films as a chorus girl and in minor acting roles, and in 1936 she signed a contract with RKO.

She and Husey had moved to Arizona, where she was residing at the time of her death, only four days shy of her 96th birthday, on August 25, 2007.