FIRST OFF . . .

Laurence Olivier is retiring from movie acting, a spokeswoman said Tuesday, four days before Olivier’s 80th birthday. Sue Green, assistant to Olivier’s agent, Laurence Evans, confirmed a report in The Times of London quoting Evans as saying the actor “is in very good shape, but he wants to take an easier course.” Olivier, whose birthday is Friday, has limited his film work for years and last appeared on the screen in the 1985 movie “Wild Geese II.” Green said that Olivier will continue to do prose and verse readings for radio and TV and filmed performances for television.