We report the observation of optical control of the stimulated emission of a vertical cavity surface emitting laser (VCSEL) by an intra‐cavity coupled in‐plane laser. Depending on the overlap between the two gain regions, greater than 70% change in threshold current to complete quenching of the VCSEL, is observed. The combined device offers a wide variety of potential applications for integrated, all‐optical logic devices and optical interconnects between signal planes. ©1995 American Institute of Physics.