Born in Tbilisi. In 1941 Hovannisyan graduated from the vocal faculty of Tbilisi Conservatory under the tuition E. Bronsky. He participated in the Second World War. From 1931-37 he sang in the Opera and Ballet Theater in Tbilisi, from 1945 -51 he was a soloist. In 1951 Hovannisyan became a soloist at the Armenian National Academic Theatre of Opera and Ballet named after Alexander Spendiaryan in Yerevan. From 1954-63 he taught at Komitas State Conservatory of Yerevan. From 1955-59 he was a Member of the Supreme Council of Armenia. In 1954 he was awarded the People's Artist award of Armenia and starting 1964 the People's Artist award of USSR. He died in Yerevan.
